USA > New York > Oneida County > Annals and recollections of Oneida County > Part 40
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Moses Bagg offers for sale a " house and lot suitable for a tavern stand." Mr. Allen advertises that he has opened a dancing school in New Hartford, where " parents desirous to have their children taught that useful and polite accomplish- ment, may depend on the strictest attention," and that " those ladies that live out of town and are desirous to be taught, may take lodgings at New Hartford and receive two lessons six days in the week, and in five or six weeks may learn the rules of dancing." Several sheriff's sales by Chauncey Wood- ruff, sheriff of Herkimer, and William Colbrath, sheriff of Oneida. S. Carrington advertises " drugs and medicines, Chas. Easton, the painting and glazing business, paints, etc., and David Alger advertises his wife Betsey ! Richard Smith has for sale " lime juice, Mascovado and East India sugar, molasses, soap, tobacco, Spanish and American segars, ciphalique and rapee snuff, hair powder and pomatum, eurl- ing irons, combs, etc., etc." " The stamp aet for sale at this office .??
In the year 1800, there were but three roads or streets in Utica, viz : the " Genesee road." the Whitestown road," and " Main Street." Genesee Street, from a point near where is now the entrance to Catharine Street, to the top of the hill, and indeed most of the way to New Hartford, was a newly.
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made cause-way of bare logs, with a swamp and forest on bothı sides. Language is too feeble to describe all the various sensations resulting from a ride over such a road, and to be known they are to be felt. At that period, the woods where now runs Liberty Street, and around the site of Mechanics' HIall, were a famous hunting ground for squirrels, pigeons, owls, etc. Otis Whipple, Esq., recollects shooting an owl upon the site of Mechanics' Hall, about the year 1800. Be- tween 1800 and 1810, thousands of pigeons were shot in that vicinity. Soon after the year 1800, Hotel Street was laid out by the owners of the hotel lot, as the land which it crosses was called. Since 1810, it was not uncomman for cows to get mired in the vicinity of Chancellor Square and Elizabeth Street, and to die before they were found. Fayette Street came into use in the summer of 1825, and Judge Cooper, the owner of a portion of the land it occupies, opposed its being laid out and graded, as he believed the only result which would follow, would be the ruin of his pasture.
In 1802, a company was incorporated for the purpose of supplying Utica with wholesome water, but the author is not aware that any thing was then done towards the accomplish- ment of that object. On the 13th of April, 1826, William Alvperson, Newell Smith, and David P. Hoyt and their asso- ciates, under the name of " the Utica Aqueduct Co.," were in- corporated for the same purpose-it thus appearing that the necessity of some measures for procuring pure water was felt at that early day.
For some years, near the commencement of the present century, Main Street, from Bagg's to Kip's landing. was a celebrated race course, where many a " scrub race " between the earlier settlers among the nags, to try their bottom and speed, came off. Kip's darkey was the groom and manager upon all such occasions. While upon the subject of races,
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the following advertisement in the before named " Western Centinel," (as the name was spelled,) of 1795, seems apropos and is given as illustrative of the times.
". Advertisement .- On account of the supreme court of the state of New York being held in the county of Ontario and Onondaga in the beginning of September next, the fair and races at Bath, Ontario County, are postponed until the 21st of September, and the races at Williamsburgh, Genesce Riv- cr, until the 1st of October next.
Bath. Aug. 11, 1795. CHARLES WILLIAMSON."
This Mr. Williamson is supposed to have been the same who was in this country as a captain in the British army in the Revolution, and who afterwards resided many years in this state, as an agent for the Pultney estate.
In 1803, George Richards, Jr., opened in Utica, the " Oneida Bookstore," and from his advertisement it would seem that he had a respectable assortment of school and mis- cellaneous books. Mr. Richards was, subsequently, for several years, clerk of the corporation. In this year Thomas Willson advertised a large stock of dry-goods, groceries, hard-ware, crockery, drugs, medicines, etc. In January, 1804, Moses Johnson advertises a heavy stock of " European goods, suita- ble for the season," also, groceries, iron, steel, " soal leather." etc., and that he " has removed from his former stand near the bridge, to the new store in Genesee Street, next door north of the post-office." This year " Walton, Thatcher and Turner, at Utica, Schenectady and Albany," engage to trans- port all kinds of produce to New York, and merchandize to the western country.
In 1812 and 13, the following persons, in Utica, adver- tised their business in the Columbian Gazette :
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General Dry Goods and Variety Stores .- Talcott Camp, A. Vansant- voord, S. Wolcott & Co., Stalham Williams, John C. Devereux, Kane & Van Rensselaer, John E. Evertsen, James Van Rensselaer, Jr., A. Hitchcock, Watts Shearman, Henry B. Gibson, Alexander Seymour. Dwight & Shearman.
Trunk and Harness Maker .- James Dana.
Edge Tools .- Oliver Babcock.
Cabinet Makers .- Smead & Cable.
Drugs and Medicines .- D. Hasbrouck, M. Hitchcock, Guiteau & Watson.
Paints, Oils, &c .- Macomber & Newell, Charles Easton.
Tobacco, Segars, &c .- Robert Todd, Jr., John A. Bury & Co .. W. Fleming.
Morocco Mannfactory .- Amos Camp & J. Downing, Henry Clark.
Utica Museum .- Erastus Row.
Copper Factory .- Daniel Stafford & Co.
Fur Store .- J. C. Nennhoeffer.
Painting and Glazing .- Jolm C. Bull, Z. B. Clark.
Gunsmithing .- Castle Southerland.
HIatters and Hatters' Stock and Trimmings .- Samuel Stocking. Cozier & Whiting.
Merchant " Tayler."-B. Paine.
Tailor .- Jolin C. Hoyt.
Hlides, Leather, &c .- David P. Hoyt, Perley Harris.
Brewery .- Thomas Harden.
Distillery .- Thomas Deverenx.
Stone .- Thomas James.
Cotton Goods, Glass and Scythes .- E. B. Shearman.
Candles and Soap .- John Roberts.
Lamp Oil, &c .- Nicoll & Dering.
Boot and Shoe Makers .- John Queal, Levi Comstock and Ezra S Barnum.
Auctioneer .- E. Spurr.
Groceries .- James Hooker.
Stone Cutting .- Cross & Danforth.
Military Goods .- Barton & Porter.
Lottery Tickets .- Asahel Seward, Thomas Walker. S. Wolcott & Co.
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On the 4th of July, 1817, the Erie canal was commenced and the first ground broken at Rome. About the 15th of October, 1819, the middle section of the canal, extending from Utica to the Seneca river, was completed, and on the 23d and 24th of the same month the Canal Commissioners made tlie trip from Utica to Rome. A new era commenced now in the history of Utica : new prospects, a new spirit of progress and new resources, were now developed and sprang full of life from the head of this great enterprise of our state. Instead of " lying low " and longer hugging the muddy banks of the Mohawk, or standing forever upon the corners of Genesee, Whitesboro and Main Streets, Utica obeyed the injunction to come up higher, to "lengthen her cords " and enlarge her heritage.
In 1820, a line of packets was established between Utica and Montezuma, and large amounts of merehandize, produce, ete., were transported between these places upon the canal. In 1819 and 20, forty-three miles of the western section, mostly on the east side of Genesee river, and in 1820, twenty- six miles of the castern section, were put under contract. In November 1821, boats descended as far as Rockton, then Lit- tle Falls, and towards the close of 1822, 220 miles were nav- igable, and Oct. 8, 1823, 280 miles were completed. About the middle of October, 1825, the entire work was completed. and in the same month the first boat passed from Lake Erie to the Hudson, on board of which were Gov. DeWitt Clinton and several other distinguished gentlemen, followed by anotli- er boat, aboard of which were Lieut. Gov. Talmadge, Hon. Henry Seymour one of the canal commissioners, and others. The completion of the canal and the union of the waters of the great North American chain of lakes with the Atlantic, was celebrated on the 4th of November with many demon- strations of joy and gratification.
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The act of April 15. 1817. authorizing the commencement of the Erie and Champlain canals, was met in its passage through the two houses with argument, derision and con- tempt, and in the Council of revision, acting Gov. Taylor was known to be its opponent, while the opposition of Chan- cellor Kent and Chief Justice Thompson was much feared by its friends. Judges Yates and Platt, the latter for many years a resident of this county, were known to be zealous friends of the bill, and. after mature deliberation, Messrs. Kent and Thompson gave it their assent. On the 22d of Februa- ry, 1812. Hon. Ezekiel Bacon, member of Assembly from this county, and a member of the joint committee of the two houses upon that portion of Gen. Clinton's speech (message) relating to internal improvements, reported in favor of the immediate completion of the western section of the canal, and during the same session. Mr. Bacon reported in favor of im .- proving the Oswego river. Judge Bacon is a native "f Stockbridge, Mass., but resided many years at Pittsfield. He graduated at Yale College in 1794, was admitted to the bar of his native state in 1798. was a member of Congress from: 1807 to 1813, and was the Comptroller of the Treasury of the United States. for some time under President Madison. He removed from Pittsfield to Utica, soon after he left li .- bureau in the Treasury department. and was elected to the Assembly in 1818, and was appointed a judge of the county on the 24th of April in the same year, and held the office until the spring of 1821. | In 1321, he was a member of the Constitutional Convention from this county. Judge Bacon now resides in Utica.
Among the friends of the Erie Canal was the late Henry Seymour, then an acting canal commissioner. To not only the scrupulous performance of every duty in the line of his office. but to his eulightened and enlarged views, to his practica!
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talents, and his warm friendship for the measure, was the state greatly indebted in the favorable action of the Legisla- ture, the rapid and economical prosecution, and the quality and durability of this great work. Mr. Seymour was chosen canal commissioner. by the Legislature, in 1819, in place of the late Ephraim Hart, who had been appointed ad interim by the Governor, upon the resignation of Joseph Elliott. Mr. Seymour was elected State Senator in 1821. He died in Utica, August 26, 1837, aged fifty-six years.
Ephraim Hart, was a son of Judge Thomas Hart, who em. igrated from Farmington. Conn., soon after Paris was settled, and became a merchant iu Clinton, in its earlier days. Sub- sequently, Ephraim Hart and a brother were engaged in the same business, in that village, for several years. He after- wards removed to Utica, where he established a foundry, and prosecuted an extensive business. In 1816, he was elected a State Senator, and was re-elected in 1820. He died at St. Augustine, whither he had gone for the benefit of his health, February 14, 1839. aged sixty-three years.
In the summer of 1802, the Rev. John Taylor, a missiona- ry of the Missionary Society of Hampshire Co., Mass., made a tour through the " Mohawk and Black River Country," for the purpose of visiting and encouraging the feeble churches. and establishing others where there were none. He spent several days in Utica, and made a map of the village, which he attached to his journal. From that map it appears that (Tenesee Street was built upon for seventy rods from the riv- er. and Whitesboro Street sixty, and Main Street about sev- enty rods from Genesee Street, that there were forty-three buildings upon the latter, twenty-two upon Whitesboro, and twenty upon Main Street, and the only places where buildings were connected were upon the corners of the streets. A little reflection will show that the buildings were considerably
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scattered, when we consider too that most of them were the smallest kind of story and a half framed or log houses.
In his journal Mr. Taylor thus speaks of the people of Utica : " Utica appears to be a mixed mass of discordant materials. Here may be found people of ten or twelve dif- ferent nations, and of almost all religions and sects; but the greatest part are of no religion. The world is the great ob- ject with the body of the people." Again, he says :, " There is but a handful of people in this place who have much re- gard for preaching, or for any thing but the world."-Vide 3d Vol. Doc. Hist. N. Y. If Mr. Taylor intended to be un- derstood that the people of Utica were peculiarly irreligious, he was doubtless mistaken. Nearly every page of his journal bears evidence that he was a man of very narrow and bigoted mind, and saw things, and persons, and the small feeble churches of that day, especially those not of the "standing order." with a vision miserably bleared and prejudiced. From the best authority, the author is satisfied that the carly inhabitants of Utica appreciated religion and religious privi- leges, as generally as they do now, and probably more so, that they were in the habit of meeting in private houses on event- ings, for prayer and social meetings, and for religious conver- sation, and in the school house on Main Street, on Lord's days, for public worship, and when no preacher was present. for prayer and conference meetings. From the character ot Mr. Taylor's remarks respecting other sections of the coun- ty, they are omitted entirely, as not entitled to "faith and credit," and as unjust to a people generally distinguished for their integrity and their moral and religious lives.
The first framed house in Utica is supposed to have been crected by Col. John Bellinger, upon the south side of Whites- boro Street, upon or near the site of Jones' wagon and black- smith's shops. Deacon Potter erceted a framed house about
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the same time, which is yet standing, near the residence of the late F. W. Potter. Col. Bellinger's tavern house, built on the opposite side of the street, at a very early period, is now the rear wing of the New England House. Then, as in all new countries, every man in a certain sense, was a tavern keeper, who had room, provisions and hay, with which he could accommodate " movers " and persons travelling upon business.
In these notices of men, things, and events, the author is aware he has been extremely scattering, and has mixed up ingredients which have no apparent affinity, but he has put them down something in the order in which he found them. and some of them came to hand after others had been con- signed to the printer, and this must be his apology for, it may be, a few slight discrepances. If he has omitted any whom he should have named, the omission was unintentional, and happened from non-suggestion or want of data.
The following are some of the events worth mentioning which have occurred in Utica, in comparatively modern times :-
March 26, 1828, a large meeting was held in behalf of the Greeks, which resulted in very liberal contributions for that people.
On the 9th of September, 1831, a large meeting of the cit- izens of Utica was held at the Court House, in behalf of the Poles then engaged in their last struggle for liberty against Russia. Hon. Nathan Williams, chairman, and Gen. Josephi Kirkland, secretary. An address and resolutions were adopted, and Messrs. A. B. Johnson, D. Wager, T. H. Hub- bard, Joseph Kirkland, Montgomery Hunt, Horatio Sey- mour, William J. Bacon, Rudolph Snyder, James S. Porter, Abraham Culver, E. B. Shearman, Ammi Dows, A. Munson, J. McGregor, Aug. Hulburt, James Platt, Jolin Newland,
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E. A Maynard, T. R. Walker, and Dr. J. McCall were appointed a committee to raise funds for the Poles, and trans- mit the same to Gen. Lafayette, who had consented to be- come the medium of communication between the Americans and that people. The following is his letter acknowledging the receipt of those funds :
" PARIS, November 29, 1831.
"GENTLEMEN :- The resolutions, the address, the donation of $974,59 and the letter which my American fellow citizens of Utica have becu pleased to send to me, could not fail to excite those feel- ings of admiration, pride and gratitude, the more gratifying to my heart when I remember the situation of your part of the country in the years 1777 aud 1794, as well as the welcome bestowed upon me six years ago in your flourishing and beautiful town. The unhappy downfall of Poland will have been known in Utica long before this answer can reach you. But while we have to mourn together over the fate of that heroic nation, and to hope the day of justice shall again rise upon them, we find some consolation in the thought that the appropriation of fraternal relief could never be so seasonable as it proves to be in their present circumstances. I have requested the American committee that had framed the first address to the synt- pathy of the citizens of the United States, to assist me in the judi- cious distribution of the money entrusted to my hands. We meet every week, and there is an understanding between us, the French committee and a committee of the Poles already arrived in this cap- ital. Accounts of those proceedings have already been transmitted lo New York. Every mark of your so long experienced affection and confidence, is to me a most precious treasure. I beg you, gentlemen. to receive yourselves, and to transmit to the citizens of Utica, the homage of my grateful and affectionate respect.
LAFAYETTE."
" The Gentlemen of the Utica Committee."
The original of the foregoing letter was preserved in a handsome frame in the Common Council room, until that room and its contents were destroyed by fire.
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June 25th, 1831, Clinton Market was opened.
On Sunday, the 12th of July, 1832, the Asiatic cholera made its appearance, and four persons died during the day. A large portion of the citizens soon left, stores and shops, and even most of the churches, were closed, and nearly all business, except that relating to the sick and the dead, was -Ispended. From that time to the 7th of August the dis- ense raged, there being 201 cases and sixty-three deaths re- ported, the latter with seven not reported, or which occurred subsequently, making a total of seventy deaths. July 17th. Ezra S. Cozier, an old and highly respected citizen and a. magistrate for many years, fell a victim to the disease, in the forty-eighth year of his age. He devoted his time to the care of the sick. to attentions to the bereaved, and the burial of the dead, and in about one hour after visiting the hospital, was in his grave. He was President of the village several years, and was a man of sound judgment, strict integrity, and great amiability of heart. The Encampment, Chapter and Lodge of Masons, of which he had been long a member, uni- ted in erecting a monument over his grave.
January 13, 1834, a public discussion of the questions of " Colonization and Anti-slavery," was brought to a close in the First Presbyterian Church, having been commenced in The Reformed Dutch Church. December 31, and continued upon the 3d, 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th inst., with much zealand talent displayed.
July 31, Town elock completed on Bleecker Street Church.
Nov. 18, Parker and Seymour's flouring mill, at foot of Genesee Street, below the bridge, destroyed by fire.
October 21, 1835, the first Anti-slavery State Convention ever held in this State, convened at the Bleecker Street Presbyterian Church. This was at an early period in the abolition agitation-and there were then but abont twenty
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avowed abolitionists in Utica. It having been understood that such a convention was to be called at this place, a large meeting of citizens of all classes was held at the court house, at which speeches were made, and a series of temperate and dignified, yet high-toned resolutions were adopted, urging and warning the abolitionists against calling the convention at this place. Notwithstanding this and the remonstrances of the press, etc., the convention was called at the court house, that building having been granted by the Common Council by a vote of 7 to 4-the Mayor, Hon. Joseph Kirkland, vo- ting in the negative. October 17th, another large meeting was held at the court house, of which Rudolph Suyder was president; J. C. Devereux, Ephraim Hart, E. S. Barnum, Kellogg Hurlburt, Adam Bowman, Nicholas Smith, and J B. Pease, vice presidents ; and Isaiah Tiffany and Wm. C. Noyes, secretaries. Samuel Beardsley, Joshua M. Church. R. B. Miller, Chauncey Rowe and B. B. Lansing were the committee, and reported resolutions condemning the action of the Common Council, as an usurpation of power, and an in- dignity to the citizens, approving the course of the Mayor and the minority of the Council, and declaring that the incet ing would " not submit to the indignity of an abolition as- semblage being held in a public building of the city, reared as this was, by the contributions of the citizens, and designed to be used for salutary public objects, and not as a receptacle for deluded fanatics or reckless incendiaries," and that it was the " incumbent duty of every citizen to make use of all lawful and proper measures to arrest the disgrace which would settle upon the city, by the public assemblage of the convention appointed to be held on the 21st inst," and that this meeting adjourn to meet at the same place (court house) on the 21st inst., at 9 A. M. .
On the 20th, a meeting was held at the court house by
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those who claimed not to be abolitionists, but who were in favor of " maintaining the supremacy of the laws at all times, and under all circumstances, and who were opposed to any abridgment of the right of free and temperate discussion guaranteed by the constitution." Bradford Seymour was chosen chairman, H. Nash, E. M. Gilbert, and Dr. J. P. Batchelder, assistant chairmen, and John Bradish, Jas. Sayre, and James McGregor, secretaries. On motion of Harry Bushnell, Dolphas Bennett, Horace M. Hawes, T. B. Dixon, Dr. J. Rathbun and Andrew Hanna were appointed a com- mittee, who reported resolutions declaring the right of free- dom of speech, and of the press, and of the people peaceably to assemble ; in favor of maintaining the supremacy of the laws by all legal and proper means, and as the only basis upon which our institutions and liberties can safely rest, and of resisting every attempt to invade said right, and promising protection to every American in the free, temperate and un- restrained use of the same, and to that end pledging their lives, fortunes and sacred honor. The first resolution was adopted amid much confusion, and pending the second, the meeting adjourned in a row. The officers signed a statement declaring that the assertion of " some vile calumniators " that " this meeting was designed to favor the schemes of the abo- litionists " was " a base falsehood." October 21, at 9 A. M. the meeting of citizens was held at the court house according to adjournment with the same officers. The Anti-slavery convention consisting of about 600 delegates, from all parts of the state, met and organized rather hastily, at the Second Church, on Bleecker Street, by calling Judge Brewster of Monroe County to the chair, and Rev. Oliver Wetmore, of Utica, was chosen secretary. The day had been ushered in by the firing of cannon, and thousands flocked to the city from the country and neighboring counties. At the Democratic
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County Convention at Hampton, October 15, a resolution had been adopted, on motion of Major Jolin D. Leland, declaring " that the citizens of Utica owe it to themselves, to the State and to the Union, that the contemplated convention of incen- diary individuals is not permitted to assemble within its cor- porate bounds ; that their churches, their court, academy and school rooms be closed against these wicked or deluded men. who, whatever may be their pretensions, are riveting the fet- ters of the bond-men and enkindling the flames of civil strife."
The meeting at the court house appointed J. Watson Williams, Chester Hayden, Geo. J. Hopper, Rutger B. Miller and Harvey Barnard a committee, who reported resolutions re-affirming the positions of the former meetings respecting che holding of an Abolition Convention in Utica, and advising the appointment of a committee of twenty-five to advise the delegates to that Convention of the state of public feeling and sentiment here, and to urge and remonstrate against the as- sembling of such convention. and to " warn them to abandon their pernicious movements," etc., etc. The committee of twenty-five, consisting of Chester Hayden, R. B. Miller, S. Beardsley, Ezra Dean, William Tracy. J. W. Williams, E. 1. Wetmore, A. G. Danby, O. B. Matteson, G. W. Hubbard, J. D. Leland, Benjamin Ballou. Aug. Hickox, A. B. Wil- liams, Julius A. Spencer. H. Barnard, T. M. Francis, B. F. Cooper, I. Tiffany, D. Wager, T. S. Gold, 1. Blakesley, Bur- ton Hawley, Jesse Newell and J. H. Dwight, proceeded to the church, attended by a large concourse of people. After considerable violence and force, an entrance was effected. amid the greatest noise and confusion. The resolutions of the court-house meeting were read to the Convention, and then the latter was broken up amid a scene of uproar, threats of violence and imprecations upon the delegates, who were all driven from the house. and subsequently from the city. The
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