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 2
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 2
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 2
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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
These divisions are sub-divided by many chains and ranges. The second division is traversed in a northeast direction by six principal ridges, and some subordinate ones, which collectively have been called the Sacandaga mountains, and have a length northeast and southwest of one hundred and forty miles, with an extreme breadth of about one hundred and twenty-five miles. However, these dimensions vary greatly, as at the north line of the state the breadth is not twenty miles, while at latitude 40° 30' it exceeds one hundred. The chains are not con- tinuous, but are made up of detached links, in parallel lines and varying elevation, with summits of diversified forms; while scattered over the great area are many hills not reducible to any range-solitary, or in detached
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groups-some vieing in elevation with the determinate ridges, others simply low masses of rocks in various forms.
In two of these subordinate ridges we have an espe- cial interest. The first of these, called the Highlands of Black river, reaches from the source of Black creek, a tributary of West Canada creek, west and northwest about sixty miles, and thus includes the region of Rem- sen and vicinity. Starr's Hill, about four miles west of Remsen village, represents its greatest altitude, about eighteen hundred feet, and the whole area varies in ele- vation from that down to about twelve hundred feet, having frequent rolling surfaces several miles in width. West Canada creek descends its southern slope, while Mohawk river, Fish creek, Salmon river, and Sandy and Deer creeks rise in it.
The second subordinate ridge is known as Hassen- cleaver mountain, and extends from Herkimer county for about twenty miles into Oneida county, occupying the space between the Highlands and Mohawk river. It is about nine miles broad at its base, having an alti- tude varying from eight hundred to twelve hundred feet. This is the blue ridge marking the southern hori- zon, so pleasingly conspicuous from many parts of these townships. Locally it is called the Big Hill, and to the drivers of early stage coaches, and the carriers of mer- chandise from the Mohawk to the north country, before the construction of the plank road, the "Big Hill" was all that its name implies. Many interesting accounts of the difficulties attending its ascent in these times are handed down. Moreover, this elevation in reality was the great obstacle to the flow in this direction of the stream of immigration, which, when it had filled the valleys, like water ready to burst its barriers, followed the lines of least resistance.
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It is also an interesting fact that the fifth range in the mountain belt of the great wilderness of northern New York is the Adirondack chain proper, for this name was originally given to it by Professor Emmons, while mak- ing his geological survey of this region; but which now by common consent is applied to the whole mountain region of the northern wilderness. Hence on the later maps, these townships are designated as occupying a position on the "foot-hills," or "spurs," of the Adiron- dacks.
From Black river valley to the valley of Oriskany creek, geologists inform us, there are outcrops of nearly every formation. Here, and south of Remsen, is found the great limestone system known as the Trenton For- mation, with its wonderful fossil remains, which re- ceives its name from its fine development in this locality. This bed, upon which the southern part of the township of Remsen and the greater portion of Trenton township rests, is excellent for building purposes, and when burn- ed makes a prime cement.
In the northern section, primitive rock boulders abound, a species of granite. Everywhere indications of diluvial action are prominent, in the accumulations of gravel, sand, pebbles and boulders scattered over the surface. It is said that the parent bed of some of the latter can not be nearer than the extreme north of the continent. Iron ore has been found in the northeast section of Remsen township, as originally formed; and traces of "Fool's Gold" in the vicinity of Black river has at intervals inspired in some the delusive hope that a vein of the more precious metal might be found.
The soil in general differs but little from that of other high sections of the county, and the land is better adapt- ed for grazing than for agriculture, though it is product- ive in coarse grains. The principal productions prior
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to 1812 were barley, peas, beans, oats, hay, flax and potatoes; and the first settlers found the soil so rich that they had little need for fertilizers. This was especially true of the flat or bottom lands. William Platt, who owned the John Humphreys' farm, south of the village, for years after settlement hauled stable refuse to the creek and dumped it into the stream. Throughout this section, two crops of potatoes were sometimes raised in a season. Those of the second crop were said to be as large as those of the first, though they were thought to be less dry and of inferior flavor.
Originally the townships were heavily timbered with maple, beech, birch, elm, ash, spruce and hemlock.
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CHAPTER II
SETTLEMENT AND GROWTH
We have named a few of the pioneer settlers of Rem- sen township, the earliest of whom located here in 1792; " but in the more extended area considered in these pages, covering portions of the adjoining townships, the first to brave the dangers and hardships of the entire region as a dweller within its lonely precincts was Samuel Sizer, a ship carpenter from New York city, who came here in 1789. However, he came under far different conditions from those surrounding any other settler, for he was the hired agent or superintendent of the landed proprietor, Baron Steuben; and consequently enjoyed advantages unknown to the ordinary pioneer in the un- broken and scarcely explored wilderness of these rugged hill-townships. Under the patronage of the generous Baron, he was enabled to make extended preparations beforehand in the way of procuring live-stock, imple- ments and stores, and also had several laborers to aid him in the pioneer work. He made a clearing and lived for some years in Steuben, on the farm later owned by Josiah Owen.
Most of those who ventured to locate here brought little or nothing with them, except the might of their strong arms and an inflexible determination to meet all exigencies, however great, in preparing for themselves and families "an habitation in the wilderness;" where the cheapness of land and the durability of the Baron's leases, promised new advantages and animated them with the hope of securing a more independent livelihood
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for themselves and added opportunities for their pos- terity.
It required peculiar qualities to make a good pioneer. We who enjoy what an heroic ancestry won for us by sufferings and sacrifices, know little, and think less, of the cost at which all these things were secured. Silently they went out into the wilderness, resolved to reduce Nature herself to their far-reaching purposes. But com- prehensive as was their prevision, they could not take in the half of the grand picture they were beginning and which was so soon to unroll like a panorama before the gaze of the world. The greater share of founding and building this nation was done in silence and solitude; by self-sacrifices that were unknown to the outside world; and with patient and repeated efforts, where fre- quently there was faint token of final success.
A year or two after the coming of Mr. Sizer, the Baron moved upon his patent, where near its center some sixty acres of land had been cleared-the section still known as "Sixty Acres"-and a log house built for him; and here, in this wild region, with a few male servants about him, he made his home. Following his arrival came several who had borne arms under him, some of whom became members of his household.
Before the spring of 1792, fifteen families had settled in Steuben, mostly about the Corners, and in the vicin- ity of Sixty Acres. The first to establish a residence at the former was Stephen Brooks, Sr., who came from Middletown, Conn., in 1790 or '91, and located on a farm which during later years was occupied in part by his grandson, John W. Brooks. It is said of Mr. Brooks that after he had become comfortably settled in his new home, he became greatly alarmed over a report that a band of hostile Indians from Canada was about to make a raid through this region, and lest his family
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should come to harm he removed with them to New Haven, Conn .; though he subsequently returned to Steuben and spent the remainder of his life here. His son, Stephen, Jr., was the first male white child born in the township, the date of his birth being in 1791 or '92. During the sojourn of the family at New Haven, his son Charles was born, who became a well-known Methodist preacher of the primitive type.
Aaron Francis purchased "All that certain Lot or " Parcel of Land, being part of the township of Steuben, in the County of Herkimer, in the State of New York, and known and distinguished in the division of said Township of Steuben as Lots No. 140 and 141 of the Tract granted to Peter Service and others." The orig- inal deed from which we quote, was dated September 15, 1791, and after describing the boundaries of these lots adds: "As the needle pointed in the year 1769," which would indicate that a survey of the Service Patent was made that year. The consideration stipulated was "eighty pounds, two shillings and sixpence, lawful money of New York." Mr. Francis made a clearing where the house of R. Fremont Jones now stands; and in 1801 he sold fifty acres to Thomas Cuffin, which in- cluded the clearing where a log house was built. It is also recorded that "Aaron Francis, Yeoman, and Annor his wife, sold to William C. Jones, Carpenter, a part of Lot 140," the same year. This is the place owned by the late Lewis Everett; and Francis sold, in September of that year, to Morris Ellis, forty acres off of Lot 140. A part of this the latter sold to the Capel Isaf society, for a church and burial-lot. Mr. Francis left after a res- idence here of about ten years. Ebenezer Weeks, from Brooklyn, Conn., settled just south of Ty Coch corner in 1791.
In 1792, Capt. David Starr, from Middletown, Conn.,
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purchased a farm from Baron Steuben, and settled on "Starr's Hill." And this year came also Noadiah, Fair- child, Joel and Samuel Hubbard, from Middletown, who located in the vicinity of Captain Starr's purchase. Capt. Simeon Fuller came also in 1792; and Capt. Sim- eon Woodruff settled on a farm adjacent to Captain Fuller's about the same time. Jotham Mitchell, who settled on the corner south of the location selected by Samuel Sizer, Salmon Ward, Bela Hubbard and David Miller, were all here as early as 1792, as also were John Platt, Sr., and his sons William, Obadiah, Richard and John, originally from Huntington, L. I., but directly from Fredericksburgh, Duchess County.
Moses Adams, the first school-master, came from New Marlboro, Mass., in 1793. He settled on the farm afterward owned by Allen Clark, where he remained only a year, when he removed to a farm east of the Cor- ners, and subsequently lived in other localities in that vicinity. He served in the war of 1812.
In 1794 Capt. Joseph Ingham settled on Starr's Hill, and during this year also, Daniel Barnes, from Middle- town, took up fifty acres near by, built a house and made improvements. He then went back to Connecticut after his family, and returned with them in the spring of 1795. He had belonged to the Connecticut militia, and was called out at the time of Burgoyne's surrender, though the command he was with arrived on the field after the General had capitulated. He was the father of the late Mrs. Joel Porter, of Steuben. Other early settlers from Connecticut were Elisha Crowell, and Dr. Earl Bill, the first physician of the township. Amos and Lemuel Hough were here before 1794. John Phil- lips, father of Thompson and Champion Phillips and of the late Mrs. Samuel Dustin, of Remsen, was an early settler at Steuben Corners. John Merrick was one of
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the first to locate on what was called Beaver Meadow, near the Corners. Among others who settled early at Steuben Corners was Stephen Adsit, and two brothers named Clark; Judge Thomas Hamilton was an early and prominent resident there; and also Colonel Davis, a revolutionary officer, who in 1832 or '33 removed with his sons to Michigan; and Silas Austin was an early set- tler in the township.
In 1795 the first Welsh emigrants arrived, precursors " of the great number of that nationality who in the suc- ceeding forty years settled here, until they became the predominant factor in the development of Steuben and neighboring parts of the townships of Remsen and Trenton. As early as 1802, Rev. John Taylor, who vis- ited here at that time, says "one-third of the inhabitants of Steuben are Welsh."
Prior to the revolution the current of emigration to America was slow, as compared with the period immed- iately succeeding the war, when, soon after peace was restored, it became the principal objective point for emigration from continental Europe and the British Isles, this holding especially true of Wales. There every seacoast town and remote mountain parish fur- nished its quota of earnest men, who were actuated by no adventurous spirit, but were prompted solely by the desire to improve and develop their station beyond that possible for them to attain at home. There for genera- tions the people had toiled and plodded incessantly, with earnest intent and painstaking endeavor, only in the end to realize that their condition was no. better than had been that of the fathers who rested in the parish church-yard; for the majority of the peasantry of Wales at this time were in a condition of extreme poverty, and well-nigh utter hopelessness.
So it was to improve their distressful situation that
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these, and many others living under like conditions in the old world, were willing to encounter the dangers of a voyage hither, which in those days were great, and some were willing even to suffer the indignity of being sold into temporary servitude to repay their passage money and other advances. A few who had been thus in- dentured found their way later to this locality, where in time they acquired a competency and were among the most respected of the community. Harsh and disa- greeable as this system may appear in the present age, it gave to our country a great number of energetic and thrifty settlers, who, by reason of their poverty, could not otherwise have come to America. At the end of their term of service these voluntary "redemptioners" became merged into the mass of population, suffering no lingering taint of menial servitude.
The incoming of Welsh settlers to this locality con- tinued in a moderately increasing volume for about forty years, when the tide of this emigration turned to the western counties of the state, and to Ohio and Wis- consin, also taking with it many families that had pre- viously located here. Respecting this subject of Welsh emigration, we take the liberty of quoting the following paragraph from "The Pioneers of Utica," by the late Dr. M. M. Bagg:
"A few individuals of the Welsh race have been al- ready spoken of as settled in Utica ere 1801; these were Joseph Harris (1792), Thomas and Simeon Jones (1794), Richard Francis (1798), John Adams, John Nicholas, John Roberts, and Simeon Johns (1800). But they were now coming in numbers, and formed the only con- siderable foreign immigration to Oneida county, which occurred at the beginning of the century. In a pam- phlet entitled, 'Settlement and Progress of the Welsh in Utica and Vicinity,' which was published in 1860 by Rev. Llewellyn Howell, formerly a minister of Utica,
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it is stated that in September, 1795, twelve Welsh fam- ilies landed in New York, of whom five made their way up the Mohawk and settled at Steuben. These were followed the next year by about one hundred, chiefly from South Wales. They were poor but industrious, and were soon comfortably situated. Of these it is probable that only a small part remained in Utica. The Welsh are known to be extremely clannish in their habits, as well as religious in their instincts, and wedded to the forms of worship in which they were reared. It was natural, therefore, that the new comers should fol- low to Steuben those who had preceded them, where, among their fellows of kindred speech and habits, they would the sooner enjoy those religious privileges so dear to the national heart. According to the opinion of a few of the older residents of Utica, it was through the agency of Colonel Walker that individuals of this people were first led to make their homes in this region. Ap- preciating their industry, thrift and the many moral virtues of this class of settlers, he persuaded them to come and occupy his extensive wild lands in Steuben and vicinity. Those who were farmers disposed them- selves over the rich hillsides of Steuben, Remsen and Trenton, while those who had trades lingered in the villages, and were universally credited with being the best mechanics, especially builders, of the time. Nor could these latter deny themselves the enjoyment of their cherished institutions, and the ministry of the pastors who accompanied them."
"The typical Welshman," says one, "is not only brave, but obstinate in proportion to his bravery;" an assertion that we believe is amply supported by the his- tory of the race. The Welsh have ever proved invalu- able as pioneers, for they are a race whose courage and determination rise in proportion to the difficulties they encounter. For generations they had inured them- selves to the hardships and privations of a rugged coun- try, where to sustain life they found it necessary to labor against the most adverse circumstances.
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HISTORY OF REMSEN
The five Welsh families mentioned by Dr. Bagg as having "made their way up the Mohawk and settled in Steuben," were those of Griffith Rowland, William Wil- liams, Evan Davies, Hugh Roberts and Owen Griffiths. A son of the latter, Griffith O. Griffiths, was the first Welsh child born in Oneida county, and some have con- tended the first in the state west of the Hudson river. In 1798 these were followed by several more from Wales, among whom with their families were Deacon William C. Jones, William P. Jones, Evan Griffiths and Robert Griffiths. A year or two later came John Parry, his son Ellis, his son-in-law, John Evans (Boon), and Evan Thomas, all of whom settled for a time, at least, west of Ty Coch Corners; also came Hugh Griffiths and David Jones, the latter of whom was the father of the late Mrs. John Pugh, of Remsen, and of Mrs. Edward Williams of Trenton. He selected a location on what was later known as the Billings Lot, a little more than half way between the village and Capel Ucha, his house stand- ing sixty rods or more north of the highway.
Among those who came from Wales in 1801, were Morris Ellis; Hugh Jones and his sons Richard H. and John H., who purchased and settled on the Capt. Sim- eon Woodruff place, the latter having died. Daniel Thomas settled near Sixty Acres in 1806, and Jabez Burchard came with his family from New England to that locality the same year. Joel, Chester and Samuel Porter came in 1808, during which year there was an- other large immigration of families from Wales, many of whom located in Remsen township and in the north -. ern part of the Township of Trenton.
As we have stated, Barnabas Mitchell is conceded to have been the pioneer settler of Remsen township, locat- ing here in 1792. His daughter Polly (Mrs. Van Slyke) was the first white child born here. Capt. Shubael
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HISTORY OF REMSEN
Cross came from Massachusetts in March, 1794, and built the first saw-mill and grist-mill at Bardwell. His death, in 1795, is said by some to have been the first among the settlers in Remsen, though it is also claimed that the first death was that of Capt. Eleazar Peck, from Providence, R. I. Amos Bull settled upon and cleared the land long known as "Bull's Commons" and later as the "Camp Farm," which he finally left in dis- gust, it is said, believing the place not worth fencing when cleared. About this time came Ephraim Hollis- ter, father-in-law of the late Judge Storrs, of Trenton, and who was elected supervisor at the first town meet- ing, in 1798. He subsequently removed to Trenton, where he died. In 1796 Ebenezer King purchased three hundred and thirty-six acres of land northeasterly of the village, on what was afterward known as the State road. His daughter is said to have been the first woman mar- ried here, though this distinction is claimed by Brough- ton W. Green for a daughter of Capt. John Kent. Sam- uel Howe, who settled here before 1796, was the first justice of the peace, and it was at his log house, just north of the Clinton R. Thomas residence at Bardwell, that the first town meeting was held.
At Fairchild, so called, there settled Ezekiel and Agur Fairchild, from Connecticut, the former the first school- master in the township of Remsen; Caleb Nichols; Jesse Morgan; Gilbert Cole; Gershom Hinkley, a land sur- veyor and first resident land-agent for Henry Remsen, proprietor of the Remsenburgh Patent, and after whom the township and village are named. . Among other early settlers were Jonah Dayton; Solomon Gillette; Ebenezer Dodd; Philip Scott, who lived on the Richard · Morgan place, between Fairchild and Bardwell, was the first physician, and for several years after the organiza- tion of the township officiated as town clerk; Rev. Ed-
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mund Tefft, from Rhode Island, said to have been the first resident minister; James Franklin; Joshua Borden; Perez Farr, who lived on the road from Fairchild to Ninety Six; Harry Franklin, who married a daughter of Perez Farr; and John Bonner, a native of England, who moved here from Vermont and took up the lot after- ward owned and occupied by the late Jenkin Jones, half a mile or more east of Remsen village, and who subse- quently went west to make his home with his son, and died there. Jeremiah, another son of John Bonner, re- mained here. He was a stalwart man, considerably over six feet in stature, generous, good natured, and a noted wood-chopper; and as those were days wherein a man was "famous according as he had lifted up axes upon the thick trees," he was deservedly popular.
Daniel Dayton lived in a log house near the Bardwell mill, and when very old removed to Cortland, N. Y. There came here with him, his uncle, Solomon Dayton, his cousin Horace, and Daniel Dayton, Jr. Shubael Foster settled near the Daytons. He was a brother of "Nat" Foster, the famous Adirondack hunter and trap- per of early days. Peter Slawson settled on Lot 1 of the Service Patent, and Stephen Slawson on Lot 14, about the same time. Green White, another noted trapper, hunter, and "Indian slayer" as he was called, was an early settler at Bardwell, as were also Asa Weeks and Elisha Larabee. Enoch Hall, a revolutionary sol- dier, with his sons James and Raymond, were early set- tlers, their log house being located on the Fairchild and Bardwell road facing that which leads to the Bardwell mill. Consider Bardwell, father of David and Elias Bardwell, and step-father of Judson Witherell, Sr., set- tled on the west side of the stream at Bardwell, north of the road that leads to the mill. All of these were located here prior to the year 1800.
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In consequence of the advantage of a water-power at Bardwell which is supplied by Baker, Red, and Beaver brooks and by numerous springs, some of the early set- tlers there thought they foresaw in that locality the future "hub" of Remsen township. But many things conspired to thwart the realization of this dream. The pioneer miller, Shubael Cross, died shortly after build- ing his mills. Succeeding him was Bailey Burritt, whence for many years the settlement was known as ( "Burritt's Mills." In 1804 he acquired by lease, or purchase on contract, the mill-seat including eight or ten acres on the northwest corner of Lot 26. He con- ducted the mills until November 25, 1809, when "his goods and chattles, lands and tenements" were sold by the sheriff to satisfy the claims of the heirs of Henry Remsen. There was no highway near this section that ever became a road for general travel, and the land was not of a character to induce settlement; for notwith- standing the fact that the soil is fairly good, innumera- ble boulders are scattered over its surface, which, it is said, are importations of a pre-historic period, brought by icebergs from a distant northern zone. There were no customs-officers in those days, so these came in free of duty, and were plentifully scattered about the sec- tions of Bardwell and Ninety Six.
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