USA > New York > Oneida County > Annals and recollections of Oneida County > Part 37
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1832. Messrs. John Hobby and Simcon Jones were black- smiths, and Mr. Hobby occupied a shop which stood upon or near the site of the eastern Rail-road depot. James P. Dorchester, hatter, had a shop on the westerly side of Gen- esce road, the second above the corner of Whitesboro Street. and Mr. Eggleston, a cooper, had a shop a little above. and opposite Dorchester's. These were probably all the buildings on Genesee above the line of Whitesboro, except House's tavern and the store of Stephen Ford opposite. Mr. Ford died soon afterwards and his widow became the wife of Mr. Alverson. Peter Smith had a small log store near the river. and east of Genesee Street. In 1793, he erected a pot-ashery upon the creek, where the gulf basin now is. He also erected the dwelling afterwards occupied by Judge Miller, in which he resided a short time.
On the 19th of July, 1794. Evans and Gould sold lot 96. containing 400 acres, to James S. Kip, who sold 117 acres to the late Judge Apollos Cooper, April 11, 1795. About this time (1794), J. S. Kip built a small log house near the east end of Main Street, and near the site subsequently occupied by the elegant residence of Hon. Morris S. Miller, above men- tioned. (This once beautiful residence has been occupied for years past by negroes, and the very dregs of the city, and having become untenantable even for them, is being demol- ished.) Mr. Kip established a landing upon the river nearly in front of his house, at the mouth of Ballou's (Gulf ) creek. wishing to draw the commerce of the river, and the naviga- tion thereof, to that part of the town. For many years Mr. Kip was one of the most prominent men of the place. He was sheriff of the county several years, and held other impor- tant posts. He erected the finest mansion in the place at the time, of cut stone, on the westerly side of Broadway. it short distance south of where the Erie Canal was afterwards
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constructed. The canal, however, ruined the grounds around it, and flowed into the cellar, and upon its enlargement, the house had to be taken down. Mr. Kip died August 27, 1831, aged 64 years. Thomas and Augustus Corey, farmers, purchased 200 acres of lot 95, July 5, 1791, and resided on the northerly side of Whitesboro Street, a few rods west of Genesee, and Nov. 2, 1795, they sold out to Messrs. Boon and Lincklaen, agents of the Holland Land Company. This land, or a part of it, was more generally known to the early settlers as the Hotel lot, as the Holland Company erected upon it the first brick house in the place, the large hotel, known many years as the York House, now the three story double dwelling house, next above the Bank of Utica and Hotel Street, was laid out upon this land. The site of the York House was probably at one time the largest, and deepest flag pond within the bounds of the village. The Coreys removed to parts unknown, and the author has found no farther traces of them. Dr. Samuel Carrington, one of the earliest physicians in the place, resided a short distance up Whitesboro Street from Genesee, and being unmarried board- ed with his sister, Mrs. Foster, the widow of a Presbyterian elergyman. Dr. Carrington resided in the place as early as this time (1794). In 1800, Dr. C. kept a store for the sale of drugs, paints, dyc-stuffs, and " books on subjects worthy the attention of every person," etc., etc., and in his adver- tisement in the Columbian Gazette, published at Rome, in that year, he says, " all which he is determined to sell for very low prices, for ready pay, having found from sad experience that credit is the bane of trade, he declines granting that in- dulgence in future, and would rather ery over, than after his goods." IIe was the second post-master in the village, and was succeeded by Dr. Hitchcock.
In 1791, Peter Bellinger purchased 150 acres, a part of lot
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89, and not far from this time, and according to some accounts as early as March, 1788, Col. John Bellinger became a resi- dent of the place. He was a native of the Mohawk valley. had been a soldier in the Revolution, and was at the Oris- kany battle, as was his brother-in-law, Mr. Smith, the father of Col. Nicholas Smith, now one of the oldest residents of the city. In 1783, the father and mother of Col. Smith were killed at Herkimer, by Indians and tories, while he and : brother and sister, all very young, were in the fort at that place. The Colonel was then adopted by his uncle, Col. Bellin- ger, and when under ten years of age came to this place with him, where he has ever since resided. He still preserves, with much care and veneration, the fowling-piece used by his uncle at Oriskany. Col. Bellinger died October 9, 1815, aged fifty-five years. According to some accounts, the daughter of Col. Bellinger, afterwards the wife of Joshua Ostrom, and mother of Henry B. Ostrom of this city, was the first white person born in the place. The next six or eight years from this time, down to about the year 1800, made many changes in the population, business and appearance of the place.
A law was passed March 28, 1797, authorizing the raising of $ 45,000 by lotteries, to be expended in improving various roads in this state, of which $2,200 were appropriated to the improvement of the " great Genesee road " between " old Fort Schuyler " and Geneva, and $ 400 were directed to be paid to John Post, Nathan Smith and Isaac Brayton, for erecting a bridge over the Mohawk at old Fort Schuyler. This was doubtless the first bridge over the Mohawk at the foot of Gen- esee Street. In the summer of 1792, a bridge was built across the river between First and Second Streets, but which was not probably a very durable structure. The location and construc- tion of the Seneca turnpike from this point westward and the erection of this bridge were among the first movements which
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gave Utica a start, and secured for it a share of the business theretofore monopolized by Rome and other places, in the vicinity.
The late Jason Parker was one of the carlier residents of the place, and arrived probably about the year 1794.
By an act passed March 31, 1804, the exclusive right was granted to Jason Parker and Levi Stephens, of running stage wagons from Utica to Canandaigua, under certain re- strietions and regulations for seven years from the first of June, then next. Two trips were to be made in each week ; no more than five cents per mile could be charged for con- veying passengers; no more than seven full-grown persons could be taken at once in any stage without the unanimous consent of those aboard ; if there were four persons more than a stage load they were entitled to an extra ; four stages and teams were to be kept on the road in use, or ready for use; and between June 1st and October 1st, the trip was to be made in forty-eight hours.
The first mail to this place was conveyed by Simeon Pool. in 1793, under an arrangement with the post-office depart- ment, authorizing the transportation of the mail from Cana- joharie to Whitestown, a distance of fifty miles, the inhabi- tants upon the route paying the expense. The post-rider was allowed twenty-eight hours to make a trip, and the same to return. This contract soon passed into the hands of Mr. Parker, and he carried the mail for a time on horseback, his wife sometimes taking his place, when he could be more profi- tably engaged in other employments. Thus he commenced. by such humble beginnings, a business which, within his life time, was increased to one of the largest business organiza- tions ever formed in the place. At the time of his decease there were eight daily lines of stages running through Utica east and west, besides twelve daily, semi-weekly or weekly
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lines running north and south, with the departure and arri- val of 108 stages with sixty mails weekly, in most of which he was or had been interested. Besides these were two daily lines of packets upon the canal to Schenectady, and one to Buffalo and one to Syracuse. Shortly prior to the year 1800. Mr. Parker resided in a small log house upon Main Street. a little west of First Street. Utica was greatly indebted to him for her extraordinary means of intercourse with various parts of the state. Mr. Parker died Sept. 28, 1830, aged sixty-seven years.
Bryan Johnson, the father of Alexander B. Johnson, ar- rived at this village, July 4, 1797, from England. He was so well pleased with the position of the village, then called old Fort Schuyler, that he made it his residence, though when he came he intended to merely rest a few days and proceed to Canada. The day he arrived, being the anniversary of in- dependence, a public dinner was given in a grove, in rear of where the York House before named, was subsequently erect- ed, and an oration was pronounced by Francis A. Bloodgood. then just out of his clerkship, and about commencing the practice of law in the place. The village had, however, two lawyers already, Nathan Williams, afterwards circuit judge. and Erastus Clark. At this time if such luxuries as loaf sugar, green tea, etc., were required, and if the smaller stocks of the merchants here were exhausted, they could be obtained of William G. Tracy, at the older settlement of Whitesboro. C'lark and Fellows then kept the largest store in Utica, and John Post kept goods mostly for Indian trade. The nearest market for the sale of wheat and potashes in considerable quantities, was at the store of James and Archibald Kane. at Canajoharie, who then kept the best assortment of European and West India goods, to be found west of Schenectady. Kane's store was celebrated throughout a large extent of
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country, and was resorted to by persons who had produce to sell, or who desired to make considerable purchases, and they transacted a very extensive business in both purchasing and selling. After a few days, Mr. Johnson established himself in business in a small building previously used as a black- smith's shop, which stood opposite the site of the MeGregor house, and commenced the purchase of country produce for money, which was a novelty in the business transactions of Fort Schuyler, and arrested the flow of produce to the Kane's. He also procured a good assortment of goods which he sold at prices unusually low, thereby detering buyers as well as sellers from resorting to Canajoharie. This sort of competi- tion shortly induced the Kane's to close their store and re- move to Utica, where under the firm of Kane and Van Rens- selaer, they long carried on an extensive business in rivalry of Mr. Johnson. By these active competitions, this place speedily out-stripped the neighboring villages and became the centre of an extensive trade in the purchase of produce and the sale of goods, and all conducted on the principal of cash payments. The fame of Utica for selling low and purchasing produce at high prices, attracted trade from the whole region of the state lying west and north, and also brought hither new traders to compete with the houses already established. Among the new merchants were John C. Devereux, Watts Shearman, John Bissell, Daniel Thomas and several others. whose joint and vigorous enterprise made Utica the first and most active place in the state west of Albany, and where lux- uries and nearly every convenience could at all times be pro- cured at reasonable prices. Mr. Johnson retired from a very successful business about the year 1810. For several years he occupied a large brick store on the west side of Genesee Street, just below the Ontario Branch Bank. The last earthly record respecting Mr. Johnson is as follows: " Here
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lies Bryan Johnson, the lamented father of Alexander B. Johnson. He was a native of England. His mercantile en- terprise gave Utica its first impulse. For paternal affection he had no equal-for knowledge of the ways of man no supe- rior. His life was abstemious and cheerful, his death in- stantancous, on the 12th of April, 1824. in the seventy-fifth year of his age, and in the vigorous possession of all his fac- ulties .??
Messrs. Kane and Van Rensselaer continued in business for several years longer than Mr. Johnson. John C. Dever- eux emigrated from Ireland in 1799, and came immediately to Oncida County. To the youth and middle-aged, in the county, at that carly period, Mr. Devereux was extensively known as the teacher of the polite accomplishment of dancing and as a proficient in discoursing sweet music upon the vio- lin, as well as by his polite and gentlemanly manners. In a few years he was as extensively known for his active and careful business habits and talents. His brother Nicholas Devereux came to America in 1806. Jolin C. Devereux commenced business as a merchant near the lower end of Genesce Street. For several years he was extensively en- gaged in the commerce and navigation of the Mohawk river, occupying a large warchouse upon it, so constructed that boats could be run under a projecting portion of the building, from whence they were loaded and unloaded with comparative case. His store, for some time, stood upon the site of the Bleecker house, below Bagg's hotel, and after- wards he owned and occupied the brick store opposite, about midway between Whitesboro Street and the rail road. The success and reputation of Mr Devereux were a fine illustra- tion of what may be accomplished by industry, integrity and energy, unaided by wealth or family, " when left free to com- bat " with fortune under the benign influences of our free in-
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stitutions. He was not only successful in amassing wealth, but earned the respeet and good-will of all classes, and during the whole of his life identified himself with all the interests of the village and city, and freely contributed for every ob- ject of public utility. During life, a sincere adherent to the Catholic church, it is doubted whether a house of worship was erected in Utica within the almost half century he was a res- ident here, to which he did not contribute. For the present church edifice of St. John's Catholic church, he contributed upwards of $12,000. For the last fifteen or twenty years of his life he withdrew gradually from active life. In 1839 and 40 he was mayor of the city, having been the first directly elected to that office by the votes of the electors, and filled the office with honor to himself and the approbation of the citizens. He died on the 11th of Dec. 1848, aged 74 years.
Watts Shearman was a carpenter and joiner, and prior to the year 1800 kept a small shop in a part of his story and a half dwelling on Main Street, just below First Street, where he sold "cake and beer" and the other et ceteras usual to a small grocery. Increasing his business, and manifesting su- perior business talents, he quit his trade, and took rank among the most successful merchants in Utica. He occupied a store upon the west side of Genesce, a little below the line of Broad Street. Subsequently, Mr. Shearman removed to New York. where he prosecuted an extensive business.
Francis A. Bloodgood was probably the third lawyer that commenced business in Utica. For many years he was clerk of the county, and was identified with all the prominent mea- sures for the advancement of the village. He resided upon or near the site of the McGregor House, and removed to Ithaca many years since, where he died.
Died, in this village, December 23d, 1822, Dr. John Clark, aged ninety-four years, and December 14th, 1823, Jerusha.
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his widow, aged ninety-two years, of Lebanon, Conn .. where they lived till advanced age, when they came to Utica to re- side with their son, Erastus Clark, Esq. Erastus Clark was born at Lebanon, May 11th. 1768. At an early age he grad- uated at Dartmouth College, under the younger President Wheelock. At the age of twenty-two he was admitted to the Bar of the Superior Court of his native State. In 1791 he removed to Clinton, then a part of Whitestown, and after be- ing admitted to the courts of this State, commenced the prac- tice of law in a land of strangers, without patronage, desti- tute of property, without the advantages of captivating man- ners or address, and without the fascination of soul-stirring eloquence. His success in his profession was, therefore, slow. but his learning, industry and character for probity, gradu- ally raised him to a highly respectable professional rank. In 1797. he removed to old Fort Schuyler, which, as a proposi- tion first proceeding from him, in the next year received this name of Utica. During his residence here he filled many offices of high publie trust with strict fidelity, disinterested zeal and independent firmness. His name was proverbial for originality and decision of character. An enlightened conscience was his habitual guide, and if from precipitancy or irritation, his head sometimes erred, there was a redeeming principle in his heart which reclaimed and regulated his erring judgment and passions. Neither the frowns nor flat- teries of friends or foes could move him from what he deemed the course of duty and integrity. He was never known to offer the incense of flattery to any one, and what others thought he spoke, and his frankness sometimes appeared ill- timed and excessive-and this naked and unreserved habit of mind and expression, frequently gave offence when he was unconscious of it. Those who knew Mr. Clark best. esteemed him most. He was liberal in his charities and generous in
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promoting benevolent objects and public institutions, while no man was less indulgent to his own appetite, or more self- «lenying in his pleasures and personal gratifications, and in his habits of living he was simple, plain and frugal. The relig- ious character of Mr. Clark was free from ostentation, but uniform, consistent, sincere and ardent-and he lived and died in the same Christian faith and practice in which he was reared under the benign influences of the religion and insti- tutions of New England. Mr. Clark died in this place on the 7th of November, 1825. He resided for years upon the west side of Genesee, nearly opposite to the entrance to Cath- arine Street.
General Joseph Kirkland was among the earliest lawyers in this section, having been admitted several years prior to the organization of Oneida County. He was a native of Connecticut, graduated at Yale College, settled in New Hart- ford in 1794, and removed to Utica in 1813. He was dis. tinguished for much dignity and decision of character, and possessed a fair share of talents as a lawyer, united with great industry and perseverance in his profession. He was a man of strict integrity and honor, and although rigid and unyield- ing in his views and his actions consequent upon them, he shared largely in the respect of community. For many years his business was very extensive, especially in that of collect- ing for 'merchants. He represented this county repeatedly in the State Assembly, was a member of Congress, was ap- pointed the first mayor of Utica, was District Attorney when this District included several counties, and held other posts of trust and honor, always with credit to himself and strict fidelity to his constituents. Mr. Kirkland was born January 18th, 1770, and died February 2d, 1844.
Gen. Kirkland was the last of that class of eminent law- yers, who reflected so much honor upon this county and their
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profession, between 1795 and 1820. Besides those already named, he was the cotemporary of Platt, Gold, Sill and Storrs, of Whitesboro, men who will be remembered and appreciated as long as Caine's and Johnson's Reports remain authorities as to the common law of our State. At the time those men were at the zenith of their strength and power, it required no ordinary amount of courage and talent to acquire a business standing at the bar of Oneida. Gen. Kirkland was a distant relative of the Rev. Samuel Kirkland, the missionary to the Oneida Indians.
Nathan Williams was born at Williamstown, Mass., Dec. 19, 1773, of most respectable parents, his father lost his en- tire property by the vicissitudes of the Revolution. At the age of thirteen, young Williams left his home with but a few cents in his pocket, " to seek his fortune" in the wide world. He first came to Troy, where by his perseverance and excel- lent character he was enabled to obtain the advantages of an education, and while young, was admitted to practice in the courts of this state. He commenced the practice of law in this place about the year 1796. Among those who grew up with the place, sharing in the labors and moral and intellec- tual privations of a newly settled country, he was universally respected for his virtues and talents. He was district attor- ney, a member of both branches of the state legislature, a member of the state constitutional convention of 1821, and a member of Congress. For many years he held the very la- borious and responsible office of circuit judge in this district. As early as 1804, he was the candidate for Congress of the democratic party in his congressional district. At an carlier period he was president of the village, and held several inn- portant trusts under the National government. In the war of 1812 he left his family and extensive business, and shoul- dering his musket and knapsack, joined the American army
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at Sacketts Harbor, then under the command of his brother- in-law, Gen. Jacob Brown. Mr. Williams resided almost forty years upon the northerly side of Whitesboro Street, nearly opposite Hotel Street, and removed to Geneva upon receiving the appointment of clerk of the supreme court, where he died. He died universally lamented, September 25, 1835, and his remains were brought to Utiea for inter- ment, and here his family have since resided.
David Ostrom was a soldier in the Revolution, and among the earliest settlers in Oneida County. About the year 1790 or 91, he removed from Dutchess County to New Hart- ford, and afterwards lived in Paris, from whence he removed to Utica, about the year 1807. Upon the organization of Oneida County in 1798, Mr. Ostrom was appointed one of the county judges, which office he held until the year 1815, with the exception of three years, in which his name was omitted from the general Commission of the Peace for the county. Although not educated for the bar, he was in 1812 admitted ex gratia, an attorney and counsellor of the county courts, and by an advertisement of that period it seems that he opened an office in Utica. He also represented the coun- ty in the assembly for several years from its organization. He was a man of sound practical sense and judgment and shared largely in the good will of community. David Ostrom died March 17, 1821, aged 68 years. Joshua Ostrom, his son, died October 4, 1828. Gen. John H. Ostrom, another son, was distinguished as a political leader, and for the urban- ity of his manners. As a lawyer, of fair talents, he was not prominent in his profession, he was a man of great activity, and was prosperous in his various undertakings. He held the offices of elerk of the county, mayor of the city and vari- ous other posts of honor and profit. He was highly respect- ed by an extensive circle of acquaintances for his integrity
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and the correctness of his habits, sentiments and principles. He died August 10, 1845, aged fifty-one years.
Died, in this village, in April, 1803, Dr. John Cochran, Director-general of the military hospitals of the United States in the war of the Revolution, aged 76 years.
The following anecdote relating to Major James Cochran, went the rounds of the newspapers in 1850, and is given as it was found, with the explanation that Mr. Lossing's work is considered pretty good authority. Major Cochran at the time of his election to Congress resided at Canajoharie, and his competitor was Judge Cooper, of Cooperstown, the father of Cooper, the novelist. He afterwards removed to Utica. where he resided several years, and from thence he removed to Oswego, where he was appointed post-master. He was the son of Dr. Cochran above named, and married a daughter of Gen. Philip Schuyler, who is believed to be still living at Oswego. Major C. died at that place some two or three years ago.
" THE MAN WHO FIDDLED HIMSELF INTO CONGRESS. - Major Cocl :- ran, who is now, or was quite recently, living in Oswego, N. Y., and who was a member of the House of Representatives during the ad- ministration of the elder Adams, used to say that he fiddled himself into Congress. A short time previous to his election, a vessel was to be launched in Seneca Lake, at Geneva, and it being an unusual event, people came from afar to see it. The young folks gathered there determined to have a dance at night. A fiddle was procured, but a fiddler was wanting. Major Cochran was then quite an ama- teur performer, and his services were demanded on the occasion lle gratified the joyous company, and at the supper table one of the gentlemen remarked in commendation of his talents, that he was ' ft for Congress.' The hint was favorably received by the company, the matter was ' talked up,' and he was nominated and elected t' Congress for the district then comprising the whole State of No. York west of Schenectady. The incident is related in Lossing's Field Book of the Revolution."
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