USA > New York > Oneida County > Annals and recollections of Oneida County > Part 38
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
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 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64
-
XXIII. ]
UTICA. 515
Col. Benjamin Walker was a native of England, and came to New York city prior to the Revolution, where he was en- gaged in mercantile pursuits. He served as an officer during the entire period of the war with considerable distinction. and was a sincere and warm friend to the United States. As an aid to Washington, he was for some time a member of the military family of the commander-in-chief. Upon the arri- val of Baron Steuben in 1777, Col. Walker joined his staff, and a warm personal friendship existed between the two as long as the Baron lived. Col. Walker and Col. William North, another of the Baron's aids, were appointed by the Baron, in his will, his executors, and he devised to the two a large share of his property. Soon after the Baron's death in 1794. and as early as 1797, Col. Walker removed to old Fort Schuyler, where he resided the remainder of his life. Col. Walker was a man of intelligence and refinement, and was identified with the early growth and progress of Utica. He devised a considerable portion of his property to a natur- al daughter who became the wife of Major Combs, a French officer then residing in Utica. Upon the accession of Louis Philip to the throne of France, Major Combs had liberty to return to his native country, and from whence with the rank of Colonel, he was soon after dispatched to Algiers, where he was killed at the head of his regiment, while storming a for- tification. Mrs. Combs recently died in France, and it is yet problematical whether any heirs of her mother will make good a claim to her property in land and money in Utica. Col. Walker died January 13, 1818, aged sixty-five years.
In 1803, Drs. Solomon Wolcott and Francis Guiteau, Jr., were practicing physicians in this place in partnership, and also kept for sale " opposite the hotel " a supply of drugs and medicines. Dr. Guiteau was a brother of the late Dr. Lu- ther Guiteau of Trenton, and Calvin Guiteau, the latter of
516
ANNALS OF ONEIDA COUNTT.
[CHIAT.
whom for many years after, about 1790, was extensively en- gaged in this section as a surveyor. Dr. F. Guiteau came to the place several years previously to 1803, and remained subsequently to 1814, and was distinguished as a physician and surgeon. Dr. Wolcott, in the firm of S. Wolcott & Co. in 1812, and in 1813 as a partner with the late John Williams, carried on an extensive business in the sale of drugs, grocc- ries, etc. Dr. Wolcott died October 30, 1818, aged forty- nine years. Mr. Williams arrived in Utica a poor Welsh boy, and first as an assistant in and about the office, garden and stable of Dr. Wolcott, then a clerk in the store, then a partner, afterwards was the successor of the Dr. in the mer- cantile part of the business. Mr. Williams became one of the most successful and wealthy merchants ever in Utica, and his course was an illustration of what may be accomplished, without money or family influence to begin with, by integ- rity, energy and perseverance. He died June 13, 1843, aged fifty-two years.
In 1804, Drs. Alexander Coventry and D. Hasbrouck were practicing physicians in Utica, as partners. Dr. Cov- ยท entry, the father of the present Dr. Coventry, was born near Hamilton, in Scotland, August 26, 1766, and died Dec. 0, 1831. In 1812 and 14, Dr. Hasbrouck was a druggist in this place.
James Delvin emigrated from Ireland in 1801, and soon became a resident of Utica. Upon his decease he left by his will to collateral relatives considerable real estate, now among the most valuable in the city. The manner in which wealth is sometimes forced upon persons, is illustrated by the following account of the circumstances under which Mr. Delvin acquired this property. "It is said that he had loaned to one of our citizens a few hundred dollars, and the latter failing, he was compelled to take an acre or two of land
517
UTICA.
XXIII. ]
lying upon Genesee, Liberty and Hotel Streets, or entirely lose his debt." The land was then (a short time before the canal was laid out) considered worth very little, except for a goose pasture, being nothing but a bog, but he took it, hoping eventually to realize a trifle from it, but sorrowing much, on account of the loss of his money. The Erie Canal brought this land into the heart of the place. Mr. Delvin died December 19, 1825, aged sixty years.
Apollos Cooper became a resident of old Fort Schuyler in 1795, and on the 11th of April, in that year, purchased of James S. Kip 117 acres of lot 96, known as the Cooper prop- erty, extending from the river nearly to the point formed by Genesee and State Streets. Mr. Cooper was identified with the growth and prosperity of the city and county for nearly forty-five years. " His integrity, sound judgment and irre- proachable life secured him the respect and esteem of all who knew him." In 1805, he was appointed a county judge and held the office five years; in 1815, he was appointed sheriff, and held the office several years, and in 1823, he was a mem- ber of assembly. On the 2d of April, 1839, " as a shock of corn fully ripe he was gathered to his fathers " in the seventy- third year of his age, " and the odor of a good name will long hallow his memory."
Talcott Camp was born at Durham, Conn., March 4, 1762, and served in the Commissary department during most of the Revolutionary contest. From Durham he removed to Glas- tenbury, where he was several years a merchant. In 1796, he removed to this place, where he was for many years a suc- cessful and enterprising merchant. For a series of years, he was an upright and esteemed magistrate of the town of Whites- town, residing in Utica, and in 1809, and the five following years, was president of the village. He was a man of ster- ling sense and judgment, and in an eminent degree enjoyed!
518
ANNALS OF ONEIDA COUNTY.
[CHAP.
the respect of community. He was the father of our old merchants, Harry and John Camp, and of the late Mrs. W F. Potter. He died Sept. 5, 1832, aged 70 years.
Capt. James Hopper was a native of England, and for many years was in command of various vessels in the En- glish merchant service, sailing to different parts of the world, occasionally owning shares in his vessels and cargoes. For a time he commanded an armed vessel under orders from the British Admiralty, sailing with letters of marque in the war between England and France. His vessel having been taken, he and his crew were carried to France as prisoners, and he was afterwards exchanged for the celebrated French Marshal Junot, who had been taken by the British in Egypt. Capt. Hopper came to America in 1801, and soon settled in Utica, where he purchased considerable real estate. He was the father of Thomas and George J. Hopper. Capt. Hopper died May 16, 1816, aged fifty-eight years.
In 1798, Charles Easton was a painter and glazier in Utica, and kept paint, glass, etc., for sale. In 1813, he was a merchant doing an extensive business in the sale of paints, oils, etc.
In 1804, Dr. Marcus Hitchcock was post-master of Utica, but when appointed the author has been unable to learn. For nearly forty years subsequently he was a druggist, also doing a large business in the sale of patent medicines. He remov- ed to Terre Haute, Indiana, where he died but a few years since. Dr. Hitchcock was succeeded as post-master by James Platt, who held the office but a short time, and was succeed- ed by Augustine G. Dauby, near the commencement of Gen. Jackson's administration. Mr. Dauby held the office twenty years, and was succeeded by Joseph H. Shearman, soon after Gen. Taylor entered upon the Presidency.
Thomas Skinner was a lawyer, and an active member of
xxIn.]
UTICA. 519
the democratic party in this place, where he resided about forty years. He died June 19, 1848, aged seventy years.
About the 25th of May, 1796, Mr. William McLean es- tablished in New Hartford (then in Whitestown), the Whitestown Gacette, the second paper established in the county, the first being the " Western Sentinel," printed in Whitesboro. Mr. McLean emigrated from Hartford, Conn. In 1798 he removed his paper to Utica, " near the post-office," where he continued its publication under the name of " Whitestown Gazette and Cato's Patrol." The No. in possession of the author is Vol. III. No. 117, dated August 27, 1798. This was the first paper published in Utica. In 1803, Mr. McLean was obliged by ill health to relinquish his paper, and sold out to John H. Lathrop, Esq. A few years after, Asahel Seward and Ira Merrill started a weekly paper called the " Patriot," and after a while the two papers merg- ed in the Patriot. In 1821, the name of the paper was changed to "Utica Sentinel," and in 1825, upon being united with the " Columbian Gasctte," as a result of Clintonianism, the paper was named the " Sentinel and Gazette," and in 1834, the name was changed to " Oncida Whig," the daily issue of which is the Gazette again. Mr. McLean after va- rious vicissitudes of fortune, and after a residence of a few years at Vernon Village, established himself at Cherry Val- ley, where he resided the last thirty years of his life " enjoy- ing to an unusual degree the good will and esteem of the community in which he lived." He died March 12, 1848, aged seventy-three years. Mr. Seward was an apprentice to Mr. McLean in the Gazette office, before its removal to this place. For many years he was extensively engaged in the printing, publishing, and book-selling business. He died January 30, 1835, aged 53 years.
About the 1st of August, 1799, Thomas Walker, Esq. es-
-
520
ANNALS OF ONEIDA COUNTY.
[CHIAP.
tablished the " Columbian Patriotic Gazette" at Rome, and continued its publication upwards of two years. The imprint of the paper says it was printed by Thomas Walker for Eaton & Walker. About the first of March, 1803, Mr. Walker having removed to Utica, commenced the " Colum- bian Gazette," and continued its publication for a long series of years as the organ of the " democratic republican " party, as the " Whitestown Gazette," and its successor, the " Patri- ot.," were of the " federal" party. In the division of the democratic party, originating among the friends and oppo- nents of De Witt Clinton, as a candidate for the Presidency. Mr. Walker belonged to the Clintonian branch. In 1825, he sold the Gazette to Messrs. William J. Bacon and Samuel D. Dakin, by whom the Gazette and Sentinel were united. Although still alive, the author feels himself at full liberty to say, that no man in Utica has ever carned a fairer title to the good will and respect of the people than Mr. Walker. He was elected as the successor of Mr. Huntington, the President of the Utica Bank. Ebenezer Eaton, the partner of Mr. Walker in the Gazette at Rome, came from Vermont, and remained at Rome but a short time. He then removed to Aurora, Cayuga County, where he published a paper for a short period, and then returned to Vermont, where he con- ducted the " North Star" for many years, and where it is understood he still resides. He is a brother of the celebra- ted Gen. Eaton, who served under Gen. Wayne, and after- wards cspoused the cause of IIamet, the dethroned Bashaw of Tripoli, in his attempts to regain the government.
John H. Lathrop succeeded Mr. McLean as the conductor of the Whitestown Gazette and Cato's Patrol, and was con- nected with it and its successor nearly or quite to the close of his life. The addition to the name of the paper of " Cato's Patrol" had reference to the younger Cato who was the defender of
521
UTICA.
xxIII. ]
ancient Utica, a place destroyed and almost forgotten many hundreds of years before its name was transferred to a little village in the back woods of America. Mr. Lathrop died, June 15, 1829, aged fifty-eight years, and was interred in the private burying ground south of Water Street, within a few days after it was opened. He was born in New Haven, Conn., and graduated at Yale College, with honor, at an early age. Having chosen the profession of law, he was admitted and practiced in the courts of his native state for a short pe- riod with distinction. As a man and citizen he was highly respected, and was identified with almost every measure for building up the place. "As a gentleman, a scholar, and Christian, by the purity of his life and manners, by his fine genius and extensive attainments, he became the pride of an extensive circle of friends, and an honor to his race."
The " Western Sentinel" was established at Whitesboro, the first of January, 1794, by Oliver P. Easton, who had been fitted out for that purpose by the Messrs. Swords of New York, but he remained only a short period, and was succeeded by a Mr. Lewis, who was the publisher in the summer of 1799. This was the first newspaper printed in the county, and was continued about six years. The prin- ting office was " near the post-office in Whitestown, Herkimer County, New York." The Whitestown Gazette was subse- quently established by McLean, at New Hartford, in the town of Whitestown.
Eliasaph Dorchester was for a time connected with Mr. Walker in the publication of the Columbian Gazette, and afterwards was connected with the Oncida Observer. The Observer was established near the commencement of the year 1816, as the organ of the party which elected Messrs. Madi- son and Monroe to the Presidency, and in opposition to Gov. De Witt Clinton as a candidate for the Presidency, and the
522
ANNALS OF ONEIDA COUNTY.
[CHAP.
Clintonian party. As early as 1824, the Observer was prin- ted by A. G. Dauby, who edited it many years after he par- ted with his interest in the publishing department. These notices of the several papers were deemed proper in this place in connection with the names of Messrs. McLean and Walker.
Joseph Ballou, the father of Obadiah, and Jerathmacl Ballou, and Mrs. E. B. Shearman, arrived in the vicinity of old Fort Schuyler in the spring of 1792, and settled in what is now East Utica, below the Basin. The Gulf Creek, run- ning through the " Big Basin " was for many years known as Ballou's Creek. Mr. Ballou died about the year 1810. Col. Benjamin Ballou, a cousin of the latter, arrived in this place as early as 1798, and died Nov. 18, 1840, aged seventy years. In 1804, Obadiah Ballou above named, was extensively en- gaged as an agent of Richard Lee of New York, in the sale of patent medicines in Utica, as appears by an advertisement of two columns in the Columbian Gazette. From the cer- tificates and puffs it is evident that " certain remedies " and " infallible medicines " were known and used by our ances- tors, but notwithstanding, as strange as it seems, flesh is still heir to disease and mortality.
Morris S. Miller was in early life the private secretary of the distinguished patriot, John Jay, while Governor of this state. Soon afterwards he commenced the practice of law in Lowville, now in Lewis County, and early in the present cen- tury, having married a daughter of Mr. Bleecker of Albany, Mr. Miller removed to Utica. He was a member of Con- gress from this district in 1812, when war was declared against Great Britain. He was appointed first judge of this county, March 5, 1810, and held the office by re-appointments until his decease. Mr. Miller died in Utica, Nov. 16, 1824, aged forty-four years, and his remains rest in the family vault
523
UTICA.
XXIII. ]
of the Bleeekers in Albany. He was a man of fair talents, many acquirements, polished manners, and enjoyed the friend- ship and esteem of an extensive circle, among whom were many of the first men in the country.
Arthur Breese was one of the prominent men of this sec- tion, while yet a new country. His paternal grand-father was born at Shrewsbury, England, of Welsh parentage, and was a cousin of the celebrated Sir Watkyn William Wynn of Wynnstay, Wales-and emigrated to Shrewsbury, New Jersey, a place named by him probably after his native place. Arthur Breese was born at Shrewsbury, New Jersey, and his brother, the late Samuel Sidney Breese, of Scanandoah, was born in Philadelphia. The subject of this notice, studied law with the distinguished Judge Elias Boudinot, and re- moved to Whitesboro as early as 1794, where he became a partner of the late Judge Platt, in the practice of his pro- fession. Upon the organization of Oneida County, he was appointed Surrogate, and held the office until May, 1808. A clerk's office of the supreme court having been established at Utica about this time, he was appointed the clerk, which of- fice he held until the time of his death, a period of about seventeen years. He died at New York, whither he had gone for the benefit of his health, Aug. 13, 1825, aged fifty- three years. He removed to Utica about the year 1805, and actively engaged in every measure for building up the place or for the intellectual and moral improvement of its citizens. He died in the prime of manhood, universally beloved and respected.
Matthew Hubbell, father of Alrick Hubbell, settled upon what has been long known as the " Hubbell farm " in East Utica, in 1789. He emigrated from Berkshire County, Massachusetts, and brought a good share of New England energy and perseverance to bear upon the then almost un-
524
ANNALS OF ONEIDA COUNTY.
[CHAP.
broken forest, in the vicinity of the old fort. He died many years since.
Charles C. Brodhead, one of the very few " carly settlers" now remaining in Utica, became a resident of the place as carly as 1797. For many years he was extensively engaged as a surveyor in this section of the state. On the 5th of April, 1800, he was appointed sheriff of Oneida County, and honorably performed the duties of the office till June 18, 1804. Mr. Brodhead moves among the children and grand- children of his cotemporaries with much of the elasticity of youth, and apparently bids fair to sce a generation or two of their descendants before he is gathered to his fathers.
Commodore Melancthon T. Woolsey died in Utica, May 19, 1838, aged fifty-eight years. His paternal grand-father fell in the service of his country at the head of a battalion in 1758. His father, Melancthon L. Woolsey, served with credit in the war of the Revolution, and expended a handsome pat- rimony in the cause of freedom and his country. The sub- ject of this sketch was a clerk in the clerk's office of Oneida county, when the late judge Platt was county clerk. In 1800 he entered the navy of the United States, in which he ac- tively served'during the great portion of the remainder of his life upon the Atlantic, the Pacific, in the Mediterranean and upon the lakes. In 1808, he was ordered to the com- mand of the lake Ontario station. At the commencement of the war of 1812, his command was one of vast responsibil- ity, particularly in view of the great numerical superiority of the enemy's naval force upon the lakes, and the defenceless condition of the ports upon this side. His first object was to protect Sacketts Harbor from attack. In addition to the Big Oncida, he armed and equipped the schooner Julia, and sub- sequently captured the British armed schooner Nelson, which he added to the squadron. Shortly afterwards the British
525
UTICA.
XXIII.]
sent a strong force against Sacketts Harbor, then without any works of defence, for the purpose of destroying the vil- lage and the American fleet. Commodore Woolsey placing his squadron in as secure a position as possible, went on shore and took command of a body of volunteers and militia, hastily constructed a battery, and in a short time compelled the enemy to retire precipitately, with considerable loss and damage. Commodore Woolsey was a brave and accomplish- ed naval officer, and always cherished that just pride as to his profession, which has so ennobled so many of its members, a profession which has furnished to the United States such a galaxy of heroes and patriots. A short time before his death he removed to Utica, where by the affability of his deport- ment, the kindness of his heart, and the correctness of his sen- timents and life, he acquired the good will and esteem of all who made his acquaintance. He was buried with military honors, and was attended to the grave by Captain Mervinc of the navy, Gen. Comstock and his staff, and the Utica Cit- izens' Corps.
Several years since an anecdote of Com. Woolsey was pub- lished in many of the newspapers of the country, but as the author has been unable to find a copy, he gives it from recol- lection, without names or dates. At some period during the war of 1812, a considerable British force commanded by a naval officer of rank, effected a landing from Lake Ontario, at some point within the county of Jefferson or Oswego. The Commodore and the British commander had formed an ac- quaintance, and become warm personal friends some years be- fore, while stationed in the Mediterranean. The landing was made under cover of the darkness of night, and Commodore Woolsey, aware of their approach, had collected and taken command of a small party of riflemen, which he had station- ed in a good position for properly receiving the enemy as
526
ANNALS OF ONEIDA COUNTY. [CHAP.
soon as they were beyond the reach of their boats. The Brit- ish came, and found themselves suddenly confronted by the Americans. Com. Woolsey issued his orders as if to a large force. ordering those in front to stand firm, and directing two large imaginary flanking parties to secure positions which cut off the enemy's retreat, those in front now opening a dead- ly fire. The Commodore to make victory sure and quick, in thunder tones now ordered his whole force to " charge bayo. net." The British have too often turned the tide of battle by the bayonet not to feel a dread of the weapon when turned against themselves by superior numbers, and those Amer- icans, now to save themselves from entire destruction. cried for quarter, threw down their arms and surrendered. The British commander was conducted to the Commodore, when a mutual recognition took place. "Commodore," said he, " I am happy to be permitted to renew our former ac- quaintance, although under unfavorable circumstances. but this is the first time I have ever known riflemen to " charge bayonet !" Whether the ruse of the Commodore was a stratagem conceived at the moment, or was the result of hab- it, as marines do carry bayonets, is now a question difficult to be answered. The Britishi force became prisoners of war. and then their boats, aboard which was a large quantity of arms and military stores, were easily taken.
David W. Childs was a native of Pittsfield, Mass., a son of Dr. Childs, a celebrated physician of that place, and a broth- er of the late Lieut. Gov. Childs of that state. For several years he was a lawyer, and ranked among the more prominent citizens of Utica. He died at his native place, whither he had gone for the benefit of his health, July 27, 1826, aged forty-five years. William Jones. a brother of Dr. Jones, late a President of Texas, was for several years actively engaged as a surveyor and engineer in and around Utica. Many vil-
.
527
UTICA:
XXIII.]
lage surveys of lots, streets, &c., and the maps of property were made by him. He was a highly respected and useful citizen, and died Dec. 14, 1827, aged thirty-five years.
Maj. Benjamin Hinman, the father of John E. Hinman, mayor of Utica, was a native of Connecticut, and served with much credit during the Revolution, as an aid to General Greene. He also lost a handsome fortune through the vicis- situdes of the war, and his devotion to the cause of his coun- try. In 1793, he removed to Herkimer, and in 1798, re- moved to Utica. IIe was a man of sound judgment, most. correct morals and habits, and was highly respected as a man, a patriot and a citizen.
IIe died at Uniontown, Pennsylvania, while upon a jour- ney to New Jersey, April 7, 1821, aged sixty-six years. His aged widow still survives in the state of Illinois, and is in the enjoyment of a handsome bounty from government on ae- count of her husband's revolutionary services.
It was mentioned in the obituary of Major Hinman, that he had never drank one glass of ardent spirits in his life.
In sketching the foregoing notices of prominent men in Utica, it struck the mind of the author most forcibly, as it no doubt will that of the reader, how large a number in propor- tion to the whole were cut off by death hardly past the me- ridian of life, and in the midst of active usefulness. Utica has ever been a healthy location, and the cause of this carly mortality is inexplicable.
In the histories-of the various churches and notices of the institutions, societies, incorporations, etc., the author has ta- ken pains generally to give the names of their founders and early officers, that " honor may be given where honor is due," and also that by a reference to them the names of the promi- nent and active citizens, at the various periods named, may be. ascertaincd. This has been the author's motive in giving, in
528
ANNALS OF ONEIDA COUNTY.
[CHAP.
some instances, long lists of names, and these to the future historian of Utica, if any there ever shall be, will be of more value than many pages of incidents and events without such exact data. This is the author's apology, if one is needed, for these lists and the frequent repetition of the same names.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.