USA > New York > Oneida County > Steuben > A narrative history of Remsen, New York, including parts of the adjoining townships of Steuben and Trenton, 1789-1898 > Part 18
USA > New York > Oneida County > Remsen > A narrative history of Remsen, New York, including parts of the adjoining townships of Steuben and Trenton, 1789-1898 > Part 18
USA > New York > Oneida County > Trenton > A narrative history of Remsen, New York, including parts of the adjoining townships of Steuben and Trenton, 1789-1898 > Part 18
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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28
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This portion of the great Remsen estate was managed by agents for many years, with very little direct bene- fit to the owners. The first resident agent was Ger- shom Hinckley, who was succeeded by Henry Thomp- son. The latter lived upon the farm owned by the late Lewis Francis, on the hill north of the village, which in early days was considered the best farm upon the purchase. The place was long known as Thomp- son's Hill. Mr. Thompson was said to be an easy- going man, who never pressed the tenants very hard. If those occupying under lease showed their good intentions by turning over to him an old cow or a few sheep in payment of rent, he seemed satisfied. Squat- ters to a considerable number settled upon some parts of the patent, and caused the proprietors and their agents much annoyance, even putting them to some trouble and expense to eject them. About 1844 or later, what remained unsold of the Remsenburgh Patent, together with the leases, were transferred to J. Watson Williams, of Utica, in exchange for New York city property.
FREDERICK WILLIAM AUGUSTUS, BARON DE STEUBEN, was born in Magdeburg, Prussia, No- vember 15, 1730. While propriety demands that in an historical sketch of the township of Steuben due promi- nence be accorded its original owner and most illustrious citizen, still the story of his devotion and sacrifices in the cause of American liberty is a part of our National history; and we feel justified in giving here only a brief synopsis of his life, embracing such collected incidents as may serve to throw light on his relations to this section and his mode of life while residing here on his estate. He was educated at the Jesuit Col- lege of Neisse and Breslau, and became cadet in an
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infantry regiment in 1747, an ensign in 1749, and lieutenant in 1753. In 1757 he distinguished him- self at the battles of Prague and Rossbach, in 1758 was appointed an adjutant general, and was in the battles of Kay and Kunersdorf in 1759, in the latter of which he was wounded. In 1762 he was made adjutant general on the King's staff. He was a member of Frederick's academy of young officers, who were under his special instruction; and after the siege of Schweidnitz, in which he participated, the King pre- sented him with a valuable lay benefice. At the close of the seven years' war he accompanied to several courts of Europe the Prince of Hohenzollern-Hechin- gen, who in 1764 made him grand marshal and general of his guard.
In 1777, while on a visit to France, the Baron was ** induced by the Count St. Germain to go to America. He arrived at Portsmouth, N. H., from Marseilles, December 1, and immediately wrote to Congress and to General Washington, tendering his services as a volunteer. Shortly afterward he went to York, Pa., where Congress was in session, was directed to join the army under Washington, and during the winter arrived at Valley Forge. On May 5, 1778, he was appointed inspector-general, with the rank of major- general, and in June he was at the battle of Monmouth. He prepared a manual for the army, which was ap- proved by Congress in 1779, and introduced the most thorough discipline. In 1780 he was a member of the court-martial on the trial of Major Andre. In the same year he was placed in command of the troops in Virginia, and in January following was active in harassing the British forces under Benedict Arnold. In the summer he was attached to General La Fay- ette's division, and took part in the siege of York-
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town. In 1790 Congress voted him a life annuity of $2,500. Several of the states passed resolutions acknowledging his services, and voted him tracts of land. New York presented him with 16,000 acres, comprising a part of the township of Steuben, and he passed much of his subsequent life here.
The Baron was a man of strong feelings, subject to sudden bursts of passion, but ever ready to atone for an injury. The following anecdotes are illustra- tive of the generosity of his disposition: At a review, he directed that an officer be arrested for a fault of which he thought he had been guilty. Later on being informed of the officer's innocence, he directed that he be brought forward, and in the presence of the troops, while the rain was pouring upon his uncovered head, asked forgiveness in the following words: "Sir, the mistake which was made, might, by throwing the line into confusion, have been fatal in the presence of an enemy. I arrested you as its author; but I have rea- son to believe I was mistaken, and that in this instance you were blameless. I ask your pardon. Return to your command. I would not deal unjustly by any, much less by one whose character as an officer is so respectable."
After the surrender at Yorktown, the superior officers of the American army, together with their allies, vied with each other in acts of civility and at- tention to the captive British. Entertainments were given by all the major-generals, except by Baron Steuben. He was above prejudice or meanness, but poverty prevented him from displaying that liber- ality towards them which was being shown by others. In this situation he called on Colonel Stewart, inform- ing him of his intention to entertain Lord Cornwallis, and requesting that he advance a sum of money as
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the price of his favorite charger: "'Tis a good beast," said the Baron, "and has proved a faithful servant through all the dangers of the war; but though painful to my heart, we must part." Colonel Stewart im- mediately tendered his purse, recommending the sale or pledge of the Baron's watch, should the sum the purse contained prove insufficient. "My dear friend, replied the Baron, "'tis already sold. Poor North was sick and wanted necessaries. He is a brave fel- low, and possesses the best of hearts. The trifle it brought is set apart for his use. My horse must go -so no more. I beseech you not to turn me from my purpose. I am a major-general in the service of the United States; and my private convenience must not be put in a scale with the duty which my rank impe- riously calls upon me to perform."
The following is taken from Clark's "History of Onondaga" :-
"In 1794, a son was born to Mrs. Shaeffer, which was undoubtedly the first birth in the village [Man- lius.] He was named Baron Steuben, in honor of the famous general of that name, who about this time, spent a night at the house of Mr. Schaeffer, on his way out to Salt Point, with General Stephen Van Rensselaer and General William North. The cir- cumstances of this have been related to the author of follows: On the return of the party from Salt Point, whither they had been to select a site for a blockhouse, they spent the night at the house of John A. Shaeffer, Inn keeper, at Manlius. The guests were consider- ably fatigued with their journey and the labors of their important trust, and retired early to rest. Dur- ing the night there seemed to be an unusual stir about the house, and as the hour of midnight approached, it still increased, and before morning, transpired one of those unpostponable events incident to all prosperous and increasing families. The Baron was greatly an- noyed during the night, so that he scarcely slept a
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wink. The frequent shutting of doors, continual tramping of busy feet, and hushed sounds of female voices, which were greatly magnified by the Baron's nervousness and the importance of progressing events, kept his mind in a continual tumult. The house was built of logs, only one story high, with two rooms below; the chamber the whole size of the house, with only loose boards for a floor, and accessible by no other means than a ladder. This chamber was occupied by the distinguished guests of Mr. Schaeffer. The companions of the hero of this tale slept soundly, but not so the Baron. He often turned himself on his bed of straw seeking rest and finding none, continually wondering what on earth could excite such wonderful commotion, and he finally worked himself into an almost uncontrollable passion, which could scarcely be restrained till morning. On the earliest approach of light, the Baron rose, still in his rage, vowing ven- geance on all below. He approached the redoubtable landlord in not the most agreeable humor, saying: 'Your house is full of gossips and goblins, Sir; I hav'nt slept a wink all the blessed night; you have a pack of dogs about you noisy enough to deafen one. Sir, I repeat; your house is full of gossips and goblins. Sir, your house isn't fit to stable swine. Give us breakfast; let us be off, and we'll not trouble you again.' The Baron's rage was at its height. Mine host was per- fectly dumbfounded before his enraged and angry guest, and dared not lift his head, or hint the cause of the disturbance during the night. But soon, to give re- lief to his troubled mind, a woman approached the angry Baron, who was still breathing forth threaten- ings and storm, bearing in her arms an infant who had not yet witnessed the setting of a single sun, saying, 'here, Sir Baron, is the cause of all the trouble and noise last night.'
"The gallant old soldier instantly felt the impro- priety of his conduct, his habitual good humor was instantly restored, his accustomed gallantry prompted him at once handsomely to apologize, at the same time begging ten thousand pardons of those around him. He tendered his most hearty congratulations
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to Mr. Shaeffer and his wife, and offered to bestow his own name on the new visitant, which offer was accepted, and forthwith the Baron drew a deed of gift for two hundred and fifty acres of land, from his domain in Oneida, and after breakfast, with his friends, went on his way rejoicing."
In a letter to the writer, previously referred to in these pages, Mr. Simeon Fuller says :-
"The Baron employed Samuel Sizer to clear sixty acres of land and to build him a log house near the center of his patent. The locality is known to-day as 'Sixty Acres.' On a level piece of ground, south of and within sight of his house, the Baron had cleared up some twelve or fifteen acres on which he intended to build a church in which to hold religious services in the forenoon on Sundays, and ball games, foot- races and other athletic games in the afternoon, thus introducing German customs. Soon after he came on to his patent he purchased a yoke of oxen of a neigh- bor who recommended them as all right in every way. The oxen proved almost worthless, having been heated. When the man came for his pay, the Baron seized his cane with the intention of giving him a caning. His aide interfered, saying that Yankees were educated to that kind of dealing, beginning as boys, cheating one another swapping jack-knives. 'If that is so,' said the Baron, 'he is not so much to blame. Pay the man his money, but he must not show himself here again.'
"My grandfather, Captain Simeon Fuller, related the following incident of the revolutionary war. After the surrender of Cornwallis, at Yorktown, there was great rejoicing throughout the country and in the army, as it was thought the war was near the end. A day was set apart in the army to celebrate the victory. The Baron was commanding officer, and a great deal of powder was burned. The men were drawn up in line, and a part of the program was to commence firing at the right of the line, each soldier to fire his piece when he saw the smoke from the third piece from him. My grandfather was standing about op- posite the Baron and a new recruit next to my grand-
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father. They loaded by word of command given by the Baron. The recruit was not expert enough to withdraw his ramrod in time, but fired it off. The rod whizzed by the head of the Baron who dodged . and struck his spurs into his horse. The horse sprang and nearly threw him. When he recovered himself he cried out in broken English: 'What the deffel you want to shoot me for?' Those who stood next to the recruit told him that he would be hanged next day, sure.
"When the officers gathered in front of the Baron to pay their respects to him, he said: 'One of your soldiers has shot away his ramrod. If he is an old soldier he shall die, by Gott, for he meant to kill me. But if he is a young recruit, chastise him and let him go.'
"Once when in New York where he spent his win- ters, a lady asked how he employed his time in Steu- ben. He said he worked in his garden, read, hunted a little and fished. She asked him what kind of fish he caught. He hesitated a moment and said: 'I be- lieve they are called whales, madam.'
"He brought into this country a red and white va- riety of strawberry which has since spread throughout this section. The above anecdotes of the Baron I have never seen in print."
"The 16,000 acres of land which New York had given him was a rough, stony tract, fitter for grazing than for planting, with a high ridge running across it, from which, as his eye became familiar with the landscape, he could distinguish the highlands of seven different counties, and gleaming over the tree tops on the farthest verge of the horizon, the bright waters of Oneida Lake. This was to be his home during the active months of the year. Sixty acres were set apart, and cleared for the manor house, which was to be a building suited to his rank and habits of life. Meanwhile he contented himself with a log house, enlarged after a short time by the addition of a frame house of two rooms. Here Mulligan, as secretary, was his constant inmate. North or Walker or some other old companion would often come to stay a week or more. He studied farming as he had studied the art of war. And never, perhaps, even as he rode his
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war horse down the line, did he feel a truer pleasure than when he guided Molly, his quiet little mare, through the stumpy and half-worn paths of Steuben. In the evening, chess or a book filled up his time pleas- antly. And thus the last four years of his life glided smoothly away, with little in them to recall Freder- ick's camp or the drawing-room of Hechingen,* but with something of a grateful variety, and much to awaken a placid interest. During the day he rode through the fields, watched improvements and gave directions. In the evening he saw his friends and neighbors."t
"And when the chess-board and the books were laid aside for the Gazette de Leyde and the last news of the French Revolution, one would have been glad to hear the discussions between the old Aide of Fred- erick the Great, who never could believe in Prussian reverses, and his neighbor, Colonel Mappa, who was also turning his sword into a pruning-hook, and who "was ever one of his favorite guests. Indeed, their new interests as well as their old ones were much the same, as was their society."}
"When, in his turn, Baron Steuben announced a visit to Olden Barneveld, our Hollanders met him as he appeared at the edge of the forest, and escorted him in line to the house, where he was received at the front door by the ladies with all the courtesy and consideration which would have been shown him in the Old World." **
When on a visit to New York, some of the Baron's friends rather jeered at his attempting to settle the mountains at the head of the Mohawk. He declared it was the best land in the world, and he could prove it. Said he, "there is Captain Simeon Woodruff,
The Baron was Grand Marshal at the court of the Prince of Hohenzollern-Hechingen ten years.
t Greene's "German Element in the War of Independence."
{ "Life of Francis Adrian Van Der Kemp," by Helen Lincklaen Fairchild.
** "Centennial Address," by Hon. John F. Seymour.
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who has sailed around the world with Captain Cook, and he has bought a farm on my patent and settled on it, and if in all his voyage a better location had been found, he would not have done so." The argu- ment was unanswerable.
General Washington said of him: "The Baron has in every instance discharged the several trusts re- posed in him with great zeal and ability, so as to give him the fullest title to my esteem as a brave, inde- fatigable, judicious and experienced officer."
On November 25, 1794, he was stricken with paral- ysis, and died on the 28th, surrounded by a few friends; and his neighbor, friend and companion in arms, Captain Simeon Fuller, closed his eyes.
In striking and pathetic contrast to the scenes of his early life, when basking in the favor of the most distinguished courts of Europe, was the scene of his death in his rude wilderness home on the hilltop in Steuben. In this bleak month of November there were with him at his bedside only a few neighbors and friends. Theirs, however, were honest and loyal hearts, warm in their attachment, respecting his station and honoring him for his noble deeds. Though clothed in the rough garb of pioneer woodsmen, their sympathy was none the less real, their mourning none the less sincere. He was buried in his military cloak, attached to which was the star of knighthood he had always worn during life. He was laid beneath an evergreen tree he had selected to overshadow his grave.
The Rev. John Taylor, missionary, mention of whom has heretofore been made, in his journal under date of October 9, 1802, says :-
"I am now at the house of the first settler who came into the town, Esq. Sizer," and later adds, "Here I
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find the grave of the once active and enterprising Steu- ben. He lies in a swamp under a hemlock, with a bier standing over his grave, and a few rough boards nailed to some trees to keep the cattle off. Alas! what is man, that the great Steuben should be suffered to lie in such a place-and without a decent monument. A few rods from this swamp we find the place of his former residence of which I have taken a rough draw- ing. This is a very beautiful situation. The house faces the south, and there is a gradual descent for about 80 rods and an opening about 50 rods wide. The seat of this great man was not indeed a palace, nor what we should suppose would afford contentment to the mind of an enterprising nobleman. It consists of two log houses-one at the end of the other-containing in the whole three rooms, unsealed. It is, however, a decent log house. The Baron died in a fit of numb- palsy."
Owing to the running of a highway through the former location of his grave, the remains of the Baron were removed to their present resting place. It was about twenty-four years subsequent to Mr. Taylor's visit-or in 1826-before a monument was erected at his grave, and then by private susbcription. It consisted of a polished limestone slab, about 4 x 7 feet and nearly a foot in thickness, on which was the brief inscription: "Frederick William Augustus, Baron de Steuben." This slab was supported by a wall of masonry about two and a half feet high, surrounding the grave.
Work on the present substantial and imposing monument-an appropriation for which having been made by the state-was begun in 1870, and the cere- mony of laying the corner stone occurred on June 1, that year. The monument was completed Septem- ber 30, 1872, and stands over his remains in the cen- ter of a five acre tract of forest. The Welsh Baptist Society of Steuben received a deed of fifty acres of
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شنطة يمديده
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land on condition that the five acres should be kept fenced and in a state of nature.
BARNABAS MITCHELL, the pioneer settler in Remsen township, was born in Meriden, Conn., and came to Remsen in 1792, making a clearing and building a log house about five miles northeast of the village. He married Mary Tyler, also a native of Meriden, and of their eight children, Clarissa, Olive, and Tyler, were born in Connecticut; while Polly, Milo, Melissa, Char- lotte, and Amanda, were born in Remsen. Mr. Mit- chell served in the revolution, enlisting July 1, 1781, in Captain Bingham's Company of the Fifth Regiment of the Connecticut Line, serving for Wallingford and Farm- ingham. He evidently did not come to Remsen directly from Connecticut, for when the first census of the State of New York was taken, he was in "Ballstown," now Ballston, Saratoga county. According to that census, his family consisted at that time of "One white male over sixteen years of age; one white male under sixteen years of age; and three females." The males were Mr. Mitchell and the son Tyler, and the females were Mrs. Mitchell and the two daughters, Clarissa and Olive. He died March 14, 1813, and was buried in Fairchild Cemetery.
Milo Mitchell, born in Remsen township October 26, 1797, the fifth child of Barnabas and Mary (Tyler) Mit- chell, was a man of enterprise, perseverance and indus- try, and one of the most successful farmers in Oneida county, owning at the time of his death fourteen hun- dred acres of the best farming land in the township of Remsen. He built the first cheese-factory in the town- ship, being the second installed in the United States, and served in the town offices of highway commissioner, assessor, and justice of the peace. In 1819 he married
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Catherine, daughter of Gershom Hinckley, and the children by this marriage were Caroline, who married Horace Dupuy; James, and Sarah. Mrs. Mitchell died January 11, 1829, and he married second, Mrs. Anna Humphreys, widow of John Humphreys, and by her he had five children, as follows: Catherine, Eliza Ann, Hannah, Harriet, and Belle, the last of whom married Capt. Andrew Wood. Mr. Mitchell died March 31, 1870.
James Mitchell, son of Milo and Catherine (Hinck- ley) Mitchell, was born in Remsen December 26, 1823. He married, December 26, 1844, Sarah, daughter of John and Sarah (Gilbert) Thomas, of Prospect, born July 2, 1827, and their children were Hinckley G .; Rosel- len, widow of William B. Roberts; Edwin B .; James Ed- gar; Milo Jesse; and Katie B. When a young man Mr. Mitchell was engaged in mercantile pursuits at Pros- pect, and for nine years at West Branch, in the township of Lee. Later he removed to Remsen, having pur- chased the Zalmon D. Root farm, at the northern boun- dary of the village, which he ran in connection with other large farms, becoming one of the most extensive farmers and dairymen in this section, beside dealing largely in cattle. He was elected to the state legislature in 1853, was a member of the board of supervisors for five years, and held other town offices, and in 1878 ran on the National ticket for Congress. During his whole life here he was one of the most active workers and gen- erous supporters of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and for upwards of twenty years was superintendent of the Sunday school.
BENJAMIN WALKER, born in London, was a pupil of the Blue Coat School. He lived in France, and came to New York in the service of a mercantile house. In 1778, at Valley Forge, he became aide-de-camp to Baron
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Steuben, who always regarded him as a son. In 1781- 82 he joined Washington's staff, and was aide until the close of the war. He became secretary to the governor of New York, then entered business with Gen. Benjamin Ledyard, was made naval officer of the port of New York, and finally, as agent of the Earl of Bath's great estate and to care for the lands left him by Baron Steu- ben, he came to Utica, then Old Fort Schuyler, where he spent the rest of his days, dying in 1818.
WILLIAM NORTH, born in Maine in 1753, was an aide to Baron Steuben. He served as officer through the war, was a member of the New York Society of the Cincinnati, and represented New York state in the United States Senate. He was an Erie canal commis- sioner at one time, and an adjutant general in the United States army. He married Maria, daughter of Hon. James Duane. His death occurred in New York city January 3, 1836.
COMFORT STARR, the founder of the Starr family in America, lived in Ashford, County of Kent, England. The earliest dates in the records in England found in connection with the name, is that of the baptism of Mar- garet Starr, January 5, 1583. With a part of his family Dr. Comfort Starr left Ashford, went to the seaport of Sandwich, in Kent, and embarked for the new world in the ship "Hercules," of Sandwich, John Witherly, mas- ter. With three children and three servants, he arrived at the "Plantation called New England" in the early part of 1634, and it is supposed the wife and younger children followed subsequently.
Captain David Starr was the sixth in descent from Dr. Comfort Starr-the succession being Dr. Comfort, Thomas, Comfort, Joseph and Thomas. The latter,
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born September 14, 1706, married Thankful, daughter of John and Mabel (Bowman) Griswold, born at Weth- ersfield, Conn., December 19, 1715. They removed from Middletown to Salisbury soon after their marriage, where their son David was born, March 21, 1738. The father died when David was about seven years old, and his uncle, Nathaniel Griswold, of Wethersfield, was ap- pointed his guardian. David was baptised in the First Church of Middletown, December 21, 1746, and was reared in Middletown. He married, first, March 29, 1759, Ruth, daughter of Dr. Abijah and Anna (Ward) Moore, of Middletown, born January 1, 1742; died July 30, 1786. He married, second, Hannah, daughter of Nathaniel and Rebecca Goodman, born July 12, 1749; died October 12, 1818. Captain Starr for five years was surveyor of highways in Middletown, and also filled other town offices. He early joined the patriot army in the war for independence, and was commissioned First Lieutenant, January 1, 1777; Captain Lieutenant, April 19, 1779; and Captain, May 10, 1780. He be- longed to the Sixth Regiment of the "Connecticut Line." This regiment was raised for the "Continental Line" of 1777, to continue through the war. It was recruited mainly in New Haven county, and rendezvoused at New Haven. In the summer of 1777, it went into camp at Peekskill, but was frequently detached on expedi- tions of outpost duty on the lines above King's Bridge; served in August-October on the Hudson, in Parson's Brigade, under Putnam, and engaged in all the move- ments made in consequence of the enemy's move against Fort Montgomery and other expeditions. The regi- ment wintered at West Point in 1777-78, and assisted in constructing permanent fortifications-"Meigs Re- doubt," and others-also constructed redoubts opposite on the east side of the river.
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