USA > New York > Oneida County > Annals and recollections of Oneida County > Part 21
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Another circumstance in relation to the ordination of Mr. Johnson, is deemed of sufficient importance to be preserved in the history of the times. At a day some time previons to his ordination, a council was called to examine him, and, if found worthy and competent, to officiate in the ordination ceremonies, and so confident were the church and society in the fitness of their candidate, that public notice was given that the ordination would take place on the day succeeding the sitting of the council. The council convened and en- tered upon their duties, and on the next day a large con- course assembled to witness the ceremonies. After waiting some time, the chairman of the council came in, and informed the people that the council had found the candidate not suf- ficiently orthodox to admit of his ordination, but did not state the points upon which he was considered heterodox. Mr. Johnson was then requested, by one of the leading mem- bers of the society, to state why the council refused his ordination, and he complied with the request. The senti- ment to which he could not give his assent, was one that had caused much agitation in the religious world at the time. It was this :- "That before saving grace could be applied to the conversion of the soul, it must feel an entire willingness to be damned." The assembly dispersed, and a council was
* Tracy's Lectures, and Clark's History of Onondaga.
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called from New England, which took a different view of the question. and Mr. Johnson was ordained and installed on the day above mentioned.
Mr. Johnson preached to this people five years, and was dismissed December 15, 1800. Rev. Samuel F. Snowden was installed in May. 1807, and was dismissed in August, 1813. The Rev. Noah Coe was installed pastor in June, 1814, and continued his pastoral labors for more than twenty years. and was dismissed in February, 1835. He was highly respected and beloved by his people. The Rev. Moses C. Searle was installed July 8, 1835, and was dismissed in June, 1845. The present pastor, Rev. E. HI .. Payson, was installed October 14, 1845. There are now over 200 com- munieants in the church.
This church and society erected the first house for public worship in the county, and indeed in the State west of Her- kimer. It was erected in 1793, although not completed, nor the steeple erected, until 1796. Great credit should cer- tainly be awarded the architect, for although remodelled and repaired, the house is still occupied, and the steeple yet stands, and it yet is in appearance a very respectable house of public worship, venerable for its age, it having ontlived many of its juniors, and seniors it had none, in the county. In this house was held the first County Court held within the limits of Oneida County. Judge Sanger gave the lot on which it was erected, and also gave a lot in Sangerfield for the benefit of the church.
The Episcopal Church at this place is styled .- " St. Stephen's Church, New Hartford." Rector, Rev. Stephen H. Battin. Belonging to this society are about forty-five families. comprising nearly 200 individuals, and about sixty communicants. It has a Sunday school, with five teachers,
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and about forty pupils ; and it has a neat brick church edifice, with a tower and bell, erected in 1825. Judge San- ger gave the lot upon which it stands, and also by his will gave an annuity of $250 to aid in the support of a clergy- man.
There is an Episcopal Methodist Society in this town which have a small, yet very neat house of worship in New Hartford village.
The Friends have a small society in the town, with a small house for worship in the south part of the village. Their house, like all those of the denomination, has its two front doors, where the males and females enter separately. The members here, as every where, are characterized for their industry, temperance, simplicity, neatness, and thrift.
The Universalist Society in this town is the parent stock of the denomination in Central New York, and the third in the State. The two older societies were one in the city of New York, gathered by the Rev. Edward Mitchell in 1797, and the other in Hartwick, Otsego County, gathered in 1803. The doctrine was introduced into this place by the Rev. Nathaniel Stacy, in 1805, and in December of that year was formed "The Universalist Society of Whitestown." For many years this was the principal seat of the denomi- nation in a large extent of country, and its influence was wide-spread. Judge White, the pioneer of Whitestown, was one of its prominent members. In 1815 this society built a small but comfortable church, a little below New Hartford village, on the road to Utica, which is still standing, and occupied as a house of worship by those who have followed in the faith of their fathers, - the doctrine of universal salvation.
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There was also for a few years a small Baptist Church in the town, organized as a branch of the church at Whitesboro, but which was dissolved in 1844. In 1840 this body re- ported thirty-one members, and James Reed, a licentiate, as their preacher ; in 1841 it, instead of remaining a branch, organized as a church; and in 1843 reported but twenty- four members, and Elder O. Tuttle as pastor.
JEDEDIAH SANGER. - This individual, whose name is so prominent in the history of the first settlement of the towns of New Hartford and Sangerfield, was born in Sherburne, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, on the 29th of February, 1751, consequently he had a birth-day but once in four years. His parents were Richard and Deborah Sanger, who had ten children, Jedediah being the ninth. He received but the common education of boys at that time, worked upon a farm, and subsequently kept a small store. In May, 1771, he was married to Sarah Rider, by whom he had four children, none of whom survived him except a daughter, now the widow Eames, who resides a short distance south of New Hartford village. In 1782 he removed to Jeffries, Cheshire County, New Hampshire, where he purchased a large farm, which he carried on, keeping a tavern, and also a small store in his tavern and dwelling. He was successful for two years, when, in 1784, his store and dwelling, with their entire con- tents, were consumed by fire. The time of the fire seemed to be peculiarly unpropitious, for two heavy loads of groceries had arrived at the close of the preceding day, and which had been unloaded just in time to be destroyed. The loss left Mr. Sanger bankrupt, but his was not the courage to quail
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under misfortune. He was but thirty-three years of age. with a perseverance which could overcome every thing but impossibilities. Soon after his loss, the account of the far- famed "Whitestown Country" reached him, and he deter- mined to emigrate thither as soon as he could arrange his business to do so. His arrangements having been completed, le started upon his journey for that then almost unknown country, and commenced the settlement of New Hartford in March, 1788. The author believes it but justice to his memory in this place to disabuse the public as to the report that he clandestinely left Jeffries, "between two days and two weeks," to avoid his creditors. From the most reliable information, this was not the case. That he left on Monday morning, and took what, in the parlance of the times, was termed an "early start," some two or three o'clock, was true ; but that the journey was kept secret, is incorrect. He gave his word to his creditors, that if he was ever able, no man should lose one penny by him, and such was their confidence in his integrity, that no effort was made to molest him. knowing as they did that his bankruptcy had been caused by unavoidable misfortune ; and most sacredly was the promise remembered and kept, for after he had become prosperous, and able to do so, the last farthing of his debts, principal and interest, was paid.
As has been stated, he built a saw mill in 1789. and grist mill in 1790. In 1796 he erected the first grist and saw mills on the outlet of the Skaneateles Lake, now in the beautiful village of Skaneateles, Onondaga County. He was one of the acting and leading partners in the Paris Fur- nace, which was erected in 1800, and went into operation in 1801. In 1805 he was engaged in the manufacture of cot- ton. His land agencies for the Coxes and other proprietors în New York and Philadelphia, have to some extent been
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noticed. He spent eleven winters in Albany as a member of the Senate and Assembly, to each of these bodies, having been elected by the people. He was the first Supervisor of Whitestown, and held the office for three successive years. He was appointed First Judge of Oneida County upon its organization, and held the office until 1810, when he resigned, as, by the constitution and laws, his age (60 years) disquali- fied him from holding that office.
His first wife died September 26, 1814. His second mar- riage was to Sarah B. Kissam, August 31, 1815, who died April 23, 1825. His third marriage was to Fanny Deneh, October 3, 1827. She survived her husband, and died in May, 1842. The subject of this brief memoir died June 6, 1829. The following epitaph is copied from his monument in the village cemetery :-
Sacred to the memory of HON. JEDEDIAH SANGER, who died June 6, A. D. 1829, The founder of New Hartford.
His charities are widely extended;
And his munificence has reared
And supported several edifices Devoted to the service of his Maker. His virtues are indelibly impressed upon the Hearts of his Countrymen.
Upon the cenotaph in the Episcopal Church, raised by members of his own family, is the following inscription : -
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Sacred to the memory of JEDEDIAH SANGER, Born Feb. 29th, 1751, Died June 6th, 1829. Hc, being dead, yet speaketh.
.
The distinguishing traits of Judge Sanger's character were, great energy and decision, close application to business. coupled with the strictest integrity. In politics, lie belonged to the Federal School. He was liberal and public-spirited. and his benefactions to the public seemed to have been re- turned to him tenfold.
GEN. OLIVER COLLINS was one of the very early settlers of New Hartford. He was a native of the State of Connec- ticut, and served in the Continental Army, in the Line of that State, in the capacity of a sergeant. At the close of the revolutionary contest he, in common with his comrades, was discharged, with a worthless currency in his pocket as pay, yet rich in the consciousness of having well performed his duty to his country, and in that resolution which or- dinarily brings success.
It is believed he emigrated to this town in 1789. He commenced on the farm now owned by Thomas W. Moore, a short distance from Middle Settlement, on the road to Whitesboro, where he continued to reside the remainder of his life. At an early period he received a captain's com- mission in the militia company organized in Whitestown. from whence he rose in regular military gradation to the
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rank of Brigadier General. While holding this commission, the war of 1812 was declared, and in this war also he ren- dered valuable services to his country, having been, in 1814, commandant of that most important military post, Sacketts Harbor. Here his position was a most trying one. The British, in the latter part of this year, had the naval ascen- dency on Lake Ontario. The United States' regular army was mostly with General Brown on the Niagara frontier, and the whole American flotilla on Lake Ontario was moored at this place, the enemy's odds against it being too great to justify its taking the offensive upon the Lake. The garrison at Sacketts Harbor consisted of but the 13th regiment, about 500 strong, a battalion of artillery, a few hundreds of militia, and the sailors and marines belonging to the fleet. With this incompetent force for the defence of millions of public property, which the enemy were constantly menacing, Gen. Collins called out the militia of Oneida County en masse. The call was promptly obeyed, but from misman- agement in the commissariat, the provisions furnished were inferior in quality, and unwholesome. To add to this, the season was very rainy, and the streets in Sacketts Harbor and its environs became so bad as to be almost impassable, even the sidewalks in many instances being ancle deep in mud. Disease soon made its appearance in the militia, and was very mortal. Panic seized them, and they deserted even by half companies, in some instances the commandants of companies running away with portions of their commands. Many, however, had too much patriotism and principle to quit the post without leave, but, when taken sick, would apply to Gen. Collins for passports to go out of the place into a more healthy atmosphere. He always treated these applications with lightness, and a prompt refusal. Great dissatisfaction prevailed. Gen. Collins, no doubt, acted
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from the best of motives, and if he committed an error in his treatment of these requests of the militia, it was one of the head and not of the heart. His wish was to keep up at least a show of defence, until the garrison could be reinforced by the army under Gen. Brown, then on its march from Buffalo to the Harbor. On Gen. Brown's arrival, he, in general orders, highly complimented Gen. Collins for the great zeal he had manifested in the public service.
On the expiration of Gen. Collins' term of service at. Sacketts Harbor, he returned to Oneida County, and ordered a Court Martial for the trial of the deserters from the de- tached Militia at the Harbor. The Court Martial convened at the public house kept by Major John Bellinger, in Utica, now known as the "New England House." Some of the culprits employed able counsel for their defence, and in addressing the Court Martial, the counsel made the remark that, "if the Court presumed to sentence his clients, the good citizens of Utica would never suffer the sentence to be carried into execution." Notwithstanding, the delinquents were sentenced to have all their back pay stopped, and to be drummed out of camp, as far as Deerfield Corners, with the "Rogue's March," wearing their coats wrong side out. Gen. Collins, who was present, and whose duty it became to see the sentence of the Court Martial carried into execution, and taking the hint from the remarks of the prisoner's coun- sel, went to the commandant of a company of regular soldiers, then stationed in Utica. and loaned their music and a sergeant's guard of sixteen men, to assist in the perform . ance of his duty. The guard were marched to Bellinger's, and the prisoners brought forward. A considerable number of persons had collected, and there was unmistakable evi- dence that there was a disposition to carry out the threat of counsel. Gen. Collins at once ordered the guard to load
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their pieces with ball cartridges, and then turning to the spectators, said, " If you interfere in this business, Gentle- men, it is at your peril, for I will cause more bullet holes to be made through your bodies, than there are button-holes in your coats." It is almost needless to add that there was no interference, and that the sentence was executed to the letter.
At the close of the war he retired to private life, and upon the farm he had redeemed from the forest, he spent the remainder of his days in quiet, having by his industry and economy secured a competence for his declining years. In his polities, Gen. Collins never swerved from the Democratic platform. He was four times married. His eldest son died some years ago, in St. Lawrence County. His second son has been one of the most prominent citizens of Lewis County. His relict, and a son and daughter, now reside in Manchester village. Gen. Collins died August 14, 1838, aged 76 years.
MANUFACTURES.
This town, located as it is on both sides of the Sauquoit Creek, a stream which for its size stands unrivalled for its water power, has ever held a high position as a manufactur- ing town, and contains a larger number of manufactories than any other town in the county, or probably in the State. Near the north line of the town, are the "New York Upper Mills," an establishment owned by the same company as the New York Mills, just below, in Whitestown, and consists of a large stone building and a wooden one. The wooden building has ever been known as the " Burr Stone Factory," having received its name from its having been erected and long used as a grist mill, in which the first French burr mill-
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stones in the county were used in the manufacture of flour. These Upper Mills are entirely employed in the manufae- ture of colored goods, pantaloon stuffs and chambrays, of which 25,000 yards per week are turned off. It employs 450 operatives, and pays about $1,000 per week for labor.
Next above is what was formerly the "Capron Factory," now the "Utica Cotton Mills." It manufactures 28,000 yards per week, employs 156 operatives, 136 looms, and 7.000 spindles. and uses annually 1,150 bales of cotton of 400 pounds each.
Above are Howell's two factories, the New Hartford Mill, Washington Mill, and two factories known as the "Hollister Factories." The location of the Hollister manufacturing establishment at this place has received the local name of Checkerville. from the fact that Mr. Hollister, at the time of his commencement here, was engaged in business in the Checkered Drug Store in Utiea.
Still above are the large machine shop and foundry of Rogers & Spencer. The location of the latter has received the romantie name of Willow Vale, from the number of willows growing in the vicinity, on the margin of the ereck and dyke.
Near the south line of the town are the Eagle Cotton Mills of Chadwick & Sons.
In the north-west corner of the town, on the Oriskany Creek, are Clark's Mills, for the manufacture of cotton. The building is 250 feet long, 70 wide, and four stories high, the wheel house, which projects from the centre of the build- ing, being five stories ; the basement is of stone, the remain- der of briek. Until the recent erection of the Utica Steam Cotton Mills, this was the largest building for manufacturing purposes in the county. At this place the town of West- moreland lies on the west side of the creek, and the towns of
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New Hartford, Whitestown, and Kirkland corner on the bridge which here spans the stream ; this leaves the build- ings of the company in all four of the towns; the main factory, however, is in New Hartford. The factory has been built within the last five years, and is owned by Ralph Clark, of the firm of Ralph Clark & Co., of the city of New York, and his brothers Enos and Ammi B., who reside near the premises, and are engaged in the business of the factory, a store, and a grist and saw mill just above, in the town of Kirkland. All this business can not fail shortly of building up a large and important village. The building is as yet but half filled with machinery, and it is probable that the whole creek, with the heavy fall attained, will be unequal to the carrying of the machinery the building is capable of con- taining, but that a steam engine will have to be called to its aid
There are four grist and nine saw mills in the town.
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CHAPTER XVII
PARIS.
The first settler of this town was a Capt. Rice, who moved on to what is now known as Paris Hill, about the first of March, 1789. About three weeks after, and on the 20th of March, Benjamin Barnes, Benjamin Barnes, jun., and John Humaston, arrived and settled in the neighborhood. Three days after the arrival of Mr. Barnes, Stephen Barrett came, and within a few weeks after, three brothers, Aaron, Adams, and Abel Simmons, moved on to the Hill. These were the first settlers of the town of Paris, as it now is; but it should be borne in mind that Clinton, which was originally included, and whose inhabitants gave it its name, was settled two years earlier by Capt. Foot and his company.
The early settlers of Paris Hill were a moral and religious people. In 1791 a small Congregational Church, of five members, was constituted by Dr. Jonathan Edwards, while on the same visit to these frontier settlements in which he officiated in the formation of the first churches at Clinton and New Hartford. All that is obtained of the history of the Paris Hill Church is contained in the inscription from the table stone over the grave of the Rev. Mr. Steele, its first pastor, which is copied entire. It is very much regretted that more of the earlier and later statistics of this venerable body have not been obtained. Assurances were made that, without fail, they should be fortheoming, but they have never been received.
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This Monument is erected to the memory of the Rev. ELIPHALET STEELE, A. M., By his affectionate Church, In testimony of their respect for his talents, and gratitude for his faithful labors in the pastoral office.
Watchful and diligent,
An impartial inquirer after truth, An able defender of the Christian faith.
He was born at Hartford, Conn., June 26, 1742, Graduated at Yale College, 1764,
Was ordained to the work of the Gospel Ministry at Egremont, Mass., 1770,
Dismissed from his pastoral charge in that place, 1794,
Installed at Paris, July 15, 1795,
Died Oct. 7, 1817, aged 75. The Church in Paris,
of which he was the first Pastor, was formed by the Rev. Jonathan Edwards, D. D., in 1791. of 5 members. When Mr. Steele was installed, it consisted of 19, 273 were added during his ministry, and at the time of his decease there were 193 members.
Mr. Steele was considered by his cotemporaries as very orthodox, and sound in his sentiments." He was a man of great plainness of speech, and by some it was thought his 19
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manner savored of bluntness. An anecdote is recollected by the author. and is given as illustrative of the man. About the commencement of the present century, at a meeting of the Oneida Association, a charge was preferred against a young clergyman for preaching unsound doctrine. He had been cited. and was present with the manuscript of the ser- mon complained of. On the sermon's being read. it was found there was nothing objectionable in sentiment, but was obscurely worded. Mr. Steele took the occasion to lecture the young man to be more cautious in his language, and ended with this remark : " Aye, young man, you do not know more than half as much as I do, and I do not know one half as much as I think I do." This, it must be confessed. was a very peculiar way of putting himself on a level, as to knowledge. with the young man to whom he was administer- ing a reproof.
In the History of Berkshire County, speaking of Mr Steele, is the following :- "The people generally [of Egre- mont] were united in their pastor, until the time of Shay's rebellion. As he was supposed to be favorable to the Gov- ernment. the malcontents became his enemies and opposer. On a certain occasion, several armed ruffians violently en- tered his house in the night season, and after treating him in a very insolent and abusive manner, carried away his watch. and several articles of clothing." Mrs. McNiel, widow of the late Henry McNiel. Esq., of Paris, and daughter of Mr Steele, and who now resides in Clinton, although but a smail girl at the time. well remembers this transaction. She says that armed sentinels were placed at all the doors and win- dows of the house, to prevent any persons escaping. and giving the alarm. The numbers in and about the house were so great. that resistance was entirely hopeless, and none was made. She had blue silk in the house for a new bonnet
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which was taken by these marauders. they saying that it would make good colors for Shays. When the party left. they fired two guns in quick succession, supposed to be sig- nals. Parties beeame so violent, that he was dismissed by a council, April 29, 1794.
For more than forty years after the first settlement of Paris Hill, its inhabitants were reckoned as a sober, moral, and industrious people. About the year 1835, perhaps ear- lier, their fears became awakened, and their suspicions aroused, that a number of young men, residents on the Hill and vicinity, were extensively engaged and connected in shop- lifting, and passing counterfeit money. Great vigilance and prudence had to be exercised in the matter. The culprits managed so ingeniously and cautiously, that years passed before the proofs had become sufficient to make any arrests. In the latter part of 1837 and the fore part of 1838, there were several arrests made, and the proof found sufficient to put them on trial. As they were men of property and tact, it now beeame necessary that every proper exertion should be made to convict the guilty. Many of the most respec- table inhabitants stepped forward to strengthen the hands of the officers of the law. As the accused had the means, the most eminent counsel were employed in their defence, and equal counsel was retained by said inhabitants to assist the District Attorney. In March, 1838, Hiram W. Meeker was tried and sent to the State's Prison. In June, Daniel Head. Oran Head, and George Brown were convicted and sentenced each to five years in the State's Prison. At the same term Guy Carter, jun., was tried, but succeeded in getting a verdict of not guilty ; subsequently he was tried for larceny, and still more subsequently for perjury, but his good fortune in procuring testimony seemed to defy the meshes of the law. and he escaped conviction. After these
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