USA > New York > Oneida County > Annals and recollections of Oneida County > Part 14
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The settlers did not go to Mr. Paris as beggars. Silver and gold they had none, but they had industry, and strong
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hands and arms, and they agreed to pay for the meal and flour in ginseng, to be delivered the next fall. This root, in the early days of Oneida, was a considerable article in commerce. Although our cattle have now almost extirpated it from our forests, it was at that early day found in great abundance. It was shipped to those countries afflicted with the plague, where it was for a long time considered the best antidote against that disease. In 1792, a new town, inelnd- ing Clinton, was formed from Whitestown, and in gratitude to their benefactor, the name of Paris was given to it. The original town of Paris has since been divided, and the town of Kirkland, including Clinton, taken from it. At this time, such is the veneration of the name of Paris, that many of the descendants of those who enjoyed his beneficence. although rightfully proud of the name of Kirkland, regret that the name Paris had not been retained by that portion of the original town including Clinton.
This year the settlers commenced building for themselves more permanent and comfortable habitations. Col. Timothy Tuttle erected the first framed house, which yet remains. and is the carriage house upon the premises of the late Samuel Royce.
The same year, Ebenezer Butler erected the second framed house, upon the spot where is now the residence of Asa Olm- stead, and there he opened and kept the first store in town.
About the 20th of October, 1789, snow fell to the depth of nearly two feet, and this upon a bed of mud of nearly the same depth. The weather became cold and inelement, and most forbidding to him who had yet to erect a frame dwell- ing Precisely at this time, a settler, determined not to be foiled in his plan of building a framed house before the win- ter should set in in full severity, went to Capt. Foot's saw mill, and for three days and two nights, unremittingly, and
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without aid, continued to saw the lumber necessary for the building. When the task was completed, his hands had become glazed, as by fire, by the constant use of the frosty mill-bars ; but he was well repaid for his toil, for in a few days he was enabled to rear a frame dwelling sixteen feet square. That dwelling is now the kitchen of Mr. Horatio Curtiss, and that persevering settler was Jesse Curtiss, already mentioned.
The first two framed barns were built this year, the first by Judah Stebbins, upon the farm now owned by Mr. Edwin .J. Stebbins, and the second in the latter part of the season. upon the farm of the Rev. Hiram H. Kellogg. These were both large, and the first built in the vicinity.
In the year 1792, Thomas Hart removed to Clinton. He was the father of a number of sons, one of whom has been conspicuous in our great commercial emporium, another in central, and others in western New York. In company with one Seth Roberts, Mr. Hart opened a store in the building in which Ebenezer Butler had before traded. Mr. Hart was appointed one of the Judges of Oneida County some years previous to his death. The most expensive monument at that time in the Clinton burying ground, was erected to his memory, with the following inscription :-
"In memory of THOMAS HART, Esquire, who died Feb. 11, 1811. aged 60 years and 4 months."
In 1793, Judah Stebbins erected the first two-story house in the town, and which yet stands, being the large yellow dwelling upon the farm of the before-named Edwin J. Steb- bins, his grandson. A single fact shows at once the difficul- ties which had to be surmounted, and the laborious habits of those days. Mr. Stebbins, with his own hands, rived or split the elap-boards upon this house, from pine trees. Now
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the builder is hardly content with the best of half inch pine stuff, sawed, planed, and jointed by steam power, and deliv- ered at his door.
Clinton was settled by natives of New England, princi- pally from Massachusetts and Connecticut. Its history shows the striking influence of early habits and education ; for from 1787 to the present day, the place has continued to possess most of the characteristics of a New England town. The staid habits, prevailing morality, and the attachment to education, which are here found, most distinctly show their eastern and Puritan origin.
. Sometimes, the settlers met with odd adventures. The bears in those days were very destructive to green corn and young pigs.
In the fall of 1790, Mr. Curtiss, and three or four others, on their return from meeting one Sunday afternoon, passed through a corn field. near where stands the mansion formerly occupied by Maj. Pond, and now by Mr. Gun. They heard an unusual rustling in the corn, and in searching for the cause, discovered two bear cubs busily engaged in break- ing down and masticating the green ears. Forthwith thev made an onset upon the trespassers, anl. despite their piteous cries for their dam, by dint of blows and kicks, soon despatched them. The same afternoon, Mr. Bronson, upon returning from mecting. found the old bear sitting very quietly and demurely upon the steps of his door, little dreaming of the sad calamity which had overtaken her young.
The street leading past the house of James D. Stebbins was for a long time called "Brim Field" street, being en- tirely settled by emigrants from the town of that name in Massachusetts. The street leading to Utica was long known as "Toggletown," from the long lines of log fence on each
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side of it, made by "toggling" the logs together at the joints. Even at this day, some of the old inhabitants designate this street by that name.
The name of " Chuckery" is indellibly impressed upon the eastern part of this town, and when the section bearing that name became so populous as to send a colony into Madison County, such was the partiality for the name, that the clus- ter of buildings is known as "New Chuckery" to this day. notwithstanding some modern innovators have attempted to change it to Perryville. The little village upon the creek above Clinton, now known as Franklin, once bore the un- seemly name of Sodom. If its inhabitants ever deserved so uncourteous an appellation (which is very much doubted). its present population have earned their title to the popular: name by which their village is now designated.
In the early settlement of Clinton, a circumstance occur- red similar in some respects to the famous dreaming match between Sir William Johnson and the Mohawk sachem. A man named Owens was building a framed house near where stands the residence of the Rev. Mr. Sawyer. The Rev. Mr. Kirkland, in passing it with a cart and oxen, observed some pieces of boards which he needed, and said to Owens, "I had a dream last night." " What did you dream?" was the response. "I dreamed that you gave me these nice pieces of pine boards, and that I took them home in my cart." " Well," says Owen, "if you so dreamed, you must take them." The next day, as Mr. Kirkland was again passing. Owens saluted him, and told him he had had a dream. " What was it?" asked Mr. Kirkland. "I dreamed that I wanted your cart and two yoke of oxen to go to Whitesboro for brick for my chimney, and that you let me have them." " Well," says his Reverence, "if you dreamed so, you must have them, but, dear me, do not ever dream again."
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In the year 1801, Ephraim Hart, who had succeeded his father, Thomas Hart, in the mercantile business, had collected 1.800 silver dollars, with which he was soon to start for New York to purchase goods. An Irishman named Samuel McBride, who had in some way learned that Mr. Hart had that sum on hand, on the night of the 23d of July, broke into the store, and stole the whole. In the morning the theft was discovered, and immediate search made for the thief and money, and the burglar was soon captured. with the whole sum, excepting about two dollars. He was brought back to Clinton for examination, where he made his escape in the night from his two keepers, and got into the forest. Upon the high ground opposite where the Middle Settlement road leaves the Utica road, and in rear of the house then the residence of Mr. Samuel IIecox, he found a hollow stump. some ten or twelve feet high. into which he stowed himself. intending to remain through the next day, and the next evening to leave for "parts unknown." But the Fates had otherwise ordered, for at evening, in attempting to leave. he found himself unable to get to the top of his hiding place, and for several hours hope forsook him, and he believed he must there remain, and die from starvation. The next
morning, in the frenzy of despair, and aided by the light of day, a more desperate effort was successful, and he was upon the point of escaping from his novel cell, just in season to be re-captured by some person in search of him. He was sub- sequently tried, convicted, and rewarded for his villany with fourteen years' duress in State's Prison. Although in amount this fell far short of some modern bank robberies yet in those hard money days, it created much sensation in the vicinity. The stolen money was composed entirely of Spanish milled dollars.
Some account has been already given of the first religions
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meeting held in the village. No minister visited the place until the month of November, 1788, when the Rev. Samuel Eells, then pastor of the Congregational Church in Bran- ford, Ct., visited the place, remained some time, and preached to the people. IIe also formed for his hearers a covenant, which much resembled the " half-way covenant," so popular in those days in New England, and this was signed by nine males and seven females. This covenant was not very or- thodox in its character, requiring merely "moral character," historie faith," and baptism, but not requiring "saving faith" as a pre-requisite for communion. As a basis of Christian and church fellowship, such a covenant might possibly be considered a little preferable to the absence of all religious association, yet even of this some doubts might be entertained. It appears that the "half-way covenant" was very soon abandoned in Clinton.
In August, 1791, Dr. Edwards, better known as the younger Edwards, then pastor of a church in New Haven. Conn., arrived in the place, and during his stay organized a Congregational Church, of about thirty members. On the 26th day of September, of the same year, " The Society of Clinton" was organized by the election of Moses Foot, Eli Bristol, Ebenezer Butler, Jun., Hannaniah Ellinwood, Ebenezer Tuttle, and Samuel Tuttle, as trustees. The articles of association are dated September 1, 1791, and were signed by eighty-three members, embracing nearly all the prominent men in the settlement.
In 1792, the Rev. Asahel S. Norton "came, at the request of the people, to preach the Gospel of salvation."
After he had preached to them some time, they gave him an invitation to become pastor of the church and society, which was accepted. Owing to some disappointment in obtaining the person selected to preach the sermon, his
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ordination was delayed to a much later day than was in- teuded. He was ordained in the open air, near the centre of Clinton, on the 18th of September, 1793. Dr. Norton remained pastor of the Congregational Church a few weeks over forty years, and was dismissed in November. 1833.
At the close of Dr. Norton's pastoral labors, 741 had joined the church, including those who united at its forma- tion. But thirty-four had joined previous to his ordination. and of these, seven had been already dismissed, leaving but twenty-seven members at that time.
Of the whole number (741) who had joined previous to the close of his services, 571 had been received by pro- fession, and 170 by letters from other churches. These numbers show that his labors had been eminently success- ful. In 1820, Dr. Norton preached a Thanksgiving sermon. which was published at the request of his congregation, and in which he states, -" There have been added to the church 119 since it has been under my pastoral charge. The whole number of members since the first formation of the church, 453 ; of these, 213 have fallen asleep. or removed to other parts of the country. The number now remaining in the limits of the society is 240."
Near the close of 1799, a revival commenced in Clinton. which continued through 1800 and a part of 1801. As its fruits, sixty-three joined the church on profession of faith in 1800, and forty-four in 1801, besides twenty-four who joined by letter within these two years.
In 1831, another revival of religion occurred and pro- gressed during the year. Ninety-one were added upon profession, and eight by letter, and in 1832, eighteen by profession, and fourteen by letter.
In 1835, the Rev. Moses Chase was installed pastor. His ministry was successful, for within that year twenty-one
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joined upon profession and twenty-five by letter, and in 1836. thirty-five by profession and twenty by letter. In 1838. thirty-nine were added upon profession and nine by letter.
Mr. Chase was dismissed in 1839, and the aggregate ac- cessions during the five years in which he was pastor, were 104 upon profession and sixty-five by letter.
The Rev. Wayne Gridley, was installed pastor in 1840. In 1842, nineteen joined by profession and ten by letter, and in 1843, thirty-five by profession, and four by letter. In 1845, Mr. Gridley was dismissed on account of ill health. During the five years in which he was pastor sixty-cight were added on profession and forty-four by letter.
In 1846, the present pastor, the Rev. Robert G. Virmilye was installed. During the years 1846, 1847, and 1848, teu were added by profession and sixteen by letter. From the formation of the church in 1791 to the close of 1848, 1,082 had been received into the fellowship of the church, 830 had either died or been dismissed, leaving the present number 260. In 1850 this church reported to the General Associa- tion 250 members, 80 males and 170 females, and that five had been received upon profession and nine by letter during the year, and the removal of fifteen by death, by dismission. etc. Doctor Norton yet survives. He was eighty-five years of age on the twentieth of September, 1850, and still dwells upon his farm about one mile north-west of the village, which has been his home for more than half a century. He has lost the sight of one eye by disease, and the other has become dim by age. He walks to and from the post office in the village, with the sprightliness, if not with the elasticity, of youth. In speaking of him, the author feels justified in swerving from the rule he had adopted, not to speak but in general terms of the characters of the living. He is a loved monument, spared to us, of the past generation, of the early
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settlers of the county. He loves the people of Clinton, and they love and venerate him. Each succeeding winter they make him a pastoral visit, when not only a large portion of his own beloved church and society mect, but others of the different societies ; and well they may, for during his long and useful life, the benediction of his Savior in the sermon on the Mount has well applied to him : "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God."
Baptist Church .- During the revival of religion in 1831. a portion of the converts were impressed with the belief that immersion is the scriptural mode of baptism, and that be- lievers are the only subjects. In the month of June of that year, a meeting of those persons was held to consult as to their duty, and after a full and free discussion, and the ad- vice of members of different Baptist Churches, they came to the conclusion to unite with the first Baptist Church in Westmoreland. with the understanding of ultimately being dismissed to form a church in Clinton village. Accordingly. on the sixth of July following, the Westmoreland Church held a meeting in the Universalist Church in that village, and received seventeen members, who resided in that vicinity. This was the germ of the Baptist Church. On the 25th of September afterwards, a Council was called to advise as to the propriety of organizing said members into a church. and after a full discussion, the Council advised to the measure. and they forthwith proceeded to organize such church, as they be- lieved, on the apostolic plan. It consisted of nineteen mem- bers, nine males and ten females. Elder P. P. Brown, of Augusta, preached the sermon, Elder David Morris. of Rome. gave the hand of fellowship, and Elder Daniel Putnam, of Sangerfield, addressed the church on the occasion.
They soon procured the use of the Grammar school building.
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and on the first Lord's-day in October they commenced wor- ship, which has been regularly maintained to the present time. In the winter of 1832, a subscription was circulated to raise funds to build a meeting house for their use. Nine hundred and fifteen dollars and ninety-one cents having been subscribed, they proceeded to commence preparations for pur- chasing a lot and building a house, which were to cost $1,800. The house was completed and dedicated on November 9th of the same year. The building is sixty feet by forty, with a circular gallery and basement, and was at the time considered a neat structure, as well as an honor to its projectors and build- ers and an ornament to the village. On the completion of their house the church found itself in debt about $1,100, on which an annual interest had to be paid, besides the support of a pastor. This to a body, the assessed value of whose individual property amounted probably in the aggregate to less than $8,000, must have appeared somewhat onerous, but there was union, and where that is, there is strength. By assessments and re-assessments, and with the aid of $193.53 generously donated by members of other denominations. in 1837, the whole debt was cancelled, one family having paid within the five years $536,90.
The church has had its seasons of prosperity and adversity. From its commencement to the present time, 337 have been added to its numbers, 174 by letter, and 163 by baptism.
The first pastor of the church was Elder Daniel Putnam, who remained but one year. From that period to the pres- ent, the church has had a succession of pastors, eight in number.
In 1842, 1843, Elder Jason Corwin was pastor ; in 1844, Elder William Thompson ; 1845, 1846, Elder A. Kenyon; 1847 and 1848, Elder Harry White; 1850 and 1851, Elder D. Alcott. The present number of members is eighty-five.
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Of those who have been dismissed, the greater portion have joined other Baptist Churches, a few have died, and but few have been excluded. Of its original members. seven yet re- main in the church.
The Universalist Society .- Universalism was first preach- ed statedly in Kirkland, in 1820, when the Rev. Stephen R. Smith, so well known and appreciated through the whole de- nomination, delivered a course of lectures in the village of Clinton. As mentioned in the history of New Hartford. (Chap. XVI,) the Whitestown Society was the parent stock from which the others of the same faith emanated. In Clin- ton there were several prominent members of the denomina- tion, and they wished to bring the blessing of public worship as they held to be the truth, to their own doors. The lec- tures of Mr. Smith in 1820, prepared the way for the erec- tion of a neat and commodious brick church in 1822. Jo- seph Stebbins, Esq., headed the subscription with $500, and as money was needed, during the erection of the building. he advanced about $1,000 over his subscription. For his gene- rosity he has never received, as he probably never expected. any other return than the approbation of his own conscience. and the gratitude of his brethren in the denomination. This society has never been more than moderately prosperous, and has had to contend against much prejudice. Still it sustains a respectable rank as to wealth and numbers, and will com- pare favorably with either the Methodist or Baptist Socie- ties. The Congregationalist is very much larger.
In connection with the Universalist Church should be mentioned " the Clinton Liberal Institute," which is under the patronage of this denomination. It was founded in 1832, and received a charter in 1834. It consists of a male and female department, which occupy separate buildings. That
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of the male department is a large stone edifice, nearly 100 feet in length, and four stories high, and cost over $9,000, The female department has until recently occupied a building which has been found inadequate for its purposes.
In 1850 a new building was erected for this department. the architectural design and execution of which have con- ferred much honor upon its projectors, and an ornament upon the village. The estimated expense of the building was $6,500. The site was a gift to the Institute, and one of the finest in the village, having been valued at $500. Considera- ble improvements are being made in the male department, and the trustees and friends of the Institution are putting forth their earnest efforts to raise the school to the first rank among the Academies of the State. A subscription for a permanent fund of $10,000 has been recently nearly or quite filled up, besides a considerable sum required for the erection of the new building for the female department. Within a short period two very liberal bequests, amounting to from nine to ten thousand dollars, have been made to the Insti- tute, which, when received, will add materially to its means of usefulness, in diffusing the blessing of a good education to its pupils. At present the school sustains a respectable rank among the literary institutions of our country. It employs six teachers, and generally has about one hundred students. The Rev. Thomas J. Sawyer is now at the head of its faculty.
Methodist Society .- This denomination has a respectable society in Clinton. A few years since they erected a very neat and appropriate chapel for public worship on the east- erly side of Clinton Green. The author has repeatedly, from time to time, been promised notes, containing statistics of this body, and had left a blank in his manuscript for as ex- tended a notice of this as of the other religious societies in
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the place. He has, however, been entirely disappointed in receiving the information so often sought, and is reluctantly compelled to go to press with but this stinted notice.
There are now in Clinton village more than twenty or- dained ministers of different denominations, four church- es. seven stores, cight licensed physicians, one College, the Liberal Institute, an Academy, two Seminaries for young ladies, a District School, a bank, and a printing office. The Surrogate for the county now resides in Clinton, and holds his courts there. A plank road from Waterville to Utica passes through Clinton, as does also the Chenango Canal. Clinton has been justly termed the literary and scientific emporium of Central New York.
GEOLOGY. - This town possesses numerous beds of iron ore, from which about 3,000 tons are used annually at Con- stantia and Taberg. This is mostly converted into pig iron for the supplying of cupola furnaces. Its quality approxi- mates to that of best Scotch pig. This ore was formerly worked to a small extent in a forge at Walesville, and in Marshall, but the iron, either from the want of skill in the manufacturers, or the inferior quality of the ore, proved to be most miserably poor. There are quarries of good building stone near Clinton village. Near Hamilton College are ex- tensive beds of red shale, otherwise there is nothing peculiar to distinguish this from the neighboring towns.
Manchester village (although its post office bears the name of Kirkland), lies one and a half miles below Clinton. where the Seneca plank road crosses the Oriskany Creek. Here in the olden time was the Indian trail from the ford at Fort Schuyler (Utiea) to the. Oneida Castle. It was also considered as the head of navigation on the Oriskany, al-
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though perhaps occasionally a canoe may have ascended as high as Clinton. The wrecks of two or three batteaux were found here when the first settlers arrived. A small stream here enters the Oriskany from the south-east, and on the point formed by the two streams there was a small Indian clearing, with another on the easterly side, still smaller, used for encamping. The first settler in this village was Robert Parks, who arrived here in 1788, and in the same season a number of families removed to this place and vicinity. Mr. Parks erected the first framed house, which is now the back part of the tavern owned by David Pixley, Esq. There are in the village two stores, two taverns, an extensive cotton factory, several mechanics, and from thirty to forty dwelling houses. There are a Congregational Church and Society, with a respectable house of worship. This church reported in 1850 forty-nine members. Rev. S. W. Raymond, the present pastor, commenced his labors with the church in 1846.
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