USA > New York > Oneida County > Annals and recollections of Oneida County > Part 49
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digging for the foundation they disinterred a cradle con- taining the skeleton of a child. This, no doubt, was the remains of the child of De Wardenou, the first deccased from a natural cause, within the limits of Verona. The next death in the town was that of Abigail Newland, daughter of Josiah Newland, but the time of her decease has not been ascertained.
The Royal Block House was built on a slight elevation on the south side, and near where Wood Creek enters the Onei- da Lake. The ditch, about ten feet deep, enclosed an area some eight rods square. Since Mr. Jackson settled at this place in 1796, the creek has been constantly encroaching upon its site, so that at this time but a small portion of the southern ditch remains, the bed of the creek occupying al- most the entire ground of the fortification. In a very few years, every vestige will have been swept away. Tradition says, that on the retreat of St. Leger from Fort Stanwix, a party from the fort had a skirmish at this place with the re- treating foe, and that a number were killed and buried on the bank of the creek, and that the creek in changing its channel exposed their bones to view.
The southern part of this town was a part of what was termed at the time of its sale in August, 1797, "the late Oneida Reservation." A large proportion was bid off by those who intended to become actual settlers. Accordingly in the spring of 1798, this section of the town was settled by scores of hardy industrious pioncers. Many of them had one or two years previously moved into the older settled towns in the county, and awaited the sale of the Reservation.
Among these carly settlers were Russell Brooks, Martin Langdon, Noah Langdon, Samuel Avery, Joseph Eames, John Bosworth, Oliver Pomeroy, Ithamar Day, Eleasar El- lis. Fisher Ellis. Jedediah Phelps. Stephen Benedict. Jabez
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Loomis, Jonathan Warren, John Tilden, John R. Todd, Levi Skinner, Lieut. Billington, Peter Wheelan, Robert Robbins, Rodman Clark, Caleb Clark, Solomon Bishop and Moses Brown. These are now all dead, but many of them left children, who yet occupy the homesteads of their fathers.
Of those now living, and yet residing in the town, are, Simeon Parsons, Joseph Couch, Benjamin Blackman, Achus Rathbun, Artemas Brewer, Nahum Joslin, Elias Cagwin, Daniel B. Cagwin, Dr. Alexander Whaley; Joseph Grant now resides in Oswego, and Gideon Todd in Vernon. In his youth the author knew all of the above-named carly set- tlers, and with many of them was well acquainted. If any names have been omitted it has not been intentional, but from the want of recollection. Some of those named came a little later than the year 1798, but they were all very early settlers. It is believed that they all or nearly all emigrated from Massachusetts and Connecticut, quite a number from Berkshire, Massachusetts.
At this place the author presumes that his readers will justify him in again departing from his rule, to speak but in general terms of the living. The widow Elizabeth Whaley Matteson was born May 23, 1751, and resides in this town. Consequently she entered upon her hundredth year the 23d of May, 1850, and retains her faculties in a good degree. She is a woman of great piety, and at the age of ninety-five used to walk to and from church frequently in pleasant weath- er, a distance of two miles. She has now partially lost the use of her limbs. The author called upon her in September, 1849, and found her knitting, and he listened to a recital of some of the eventful scenes of her life. She resided at Montville, nine miles from New London, when the infamous Benedict Arnold too's and burned the place, and her husband and a brother belonged to the garrison. The brother was
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severely wounded, while her husband escaped unhurt. From where she was, she could plainly see the flashes of the guns on the shipping. To use her own comparison, " she had seen boys for amusement throw grains of powder upon live coals and their flashing quickly one after the other resembled the flashes of the guns." The author remarked to her, that in her lifetime she had doubtless experienced many trials, but that she was now in the retention of her faculties, enjoying a good old age, surrounded with many comforts, when she al- most interrupted him, with the exclamation of the Psalmist, " Goodness and merey have followed me all the days of my life."*
The first framed house built in the town was built by Rob- ert Robbins.
By an act of the Legislature passed February 17th, 1802. the town of Verona was formed from the town of Westmore- land, the first town meeting to be held at the house of Martin Langdon. This house stood about half a mile west of the ground now occupied by Verona Village, and on the rise of ground a short distance east of what is known as the Langdon school house. When the town was organized, it contained but 102 families, and 439 inhabitants. The first town meet- ing was held March 2d, 1802. Jedediah Phelps, Esq., was chosen supervisor, and Eleasar Ellis, town clerk. Esquire Phelps was elected to the office of supervisor for five succes- sive years. Stephen Benedict, Esq. succeeded him, and was chosen for thirteen successive years. Esquire Benedict was succeeded by Joseph Grant, Esq., who held the office for one year, and was succeeded by Esquire Benedict for one year.
* Since penning the above she has departed to her rest. She had previously expressed the wish to her former pastor, Mr. Brainard, not to pray that she might live longer, as she was ready when her Master called. She died July 27th, 1850.
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The next two years Judge Grant's friends succeeded in keep- ing him in the ascendant, and the two following years Esquire Benedict's friends were successful : Thus evenly balanced were these two popular men of the democratic party, which was predominant in Verona.
The first election in town was held April 30th, 1802. The democratic ticket received thirty-one votes, and the federal twenty-eight. It should be borne in mind that this was un- der the first Constitution of the State. that required a free- hold qualification of 8250, to enable the citizen to vote for Governor and Senators.
Two men were killed in the north part of this town at the raising of a small barn. A portion of the building was rais- ed. and left in an insecure condition. This was observed and the warning given, but it was unheeded, and soon a bent fell killing one instantly, and so wounding the other that he lived but a few days in great distress. Their names and the date have not been learned. but the event is believed to have oc- surred previously to 1805.
In August. 1805. the typhus fever. of the most virulent character. commenced its ravages in this town. and in its pro- gress appeared highly contagious. Its introduction was providential. Miss Elizabeth Day. daughter of Ithamar Day. of this town, had been residing some time with friends in Litchfield, Herkimer County. and in that vicinity there had been cases of typhus. The day was fixed for her return to her parents, and on the morning of which she felt slightly indisposed. Anxious to get home, she started on horseback. os before one half of the journey was accomplished. a most violent fever was raging inwardly, while outwardly she was unprotected from the scorching rays of an August sun. Oer her way. she called for a few minutes at a relative's, but no importunities could induce her to forego reaching home that
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afternoon. She did so, but it was only to lie down on a sick bed never to rise. From her, the disease spread, and for about a year was very prevalent. It was believed there were about 100 eases, and in its victims, it nearly or quite decimated the whole population.
No particular causes could be assigned for the virulence of the disease, other than those common to the settlement of all new countries. The cutting away of the timber and let- ting in the rays of the sun, might possibly have increased the malaria of the wet lands, and most of the inhabitants were living in log houses, and although of recent date, the work of decay had rapidly commenced upon them. At this time there were very few inhabitants except in about one-third of. and in the south part of the town.
Among the early victims of the disease was Capt. Oliver Pomeroy, an uncle of the author, who died October 9th, 1805. aged thirty-one years. The disease was principally among the younger heads of families, and unmarried young people.
From the first settlement the progress of improvement was most rapid. In passing through the town (as the author did frequently the first ten years after its settlement), the blows of the sturdy axeman greeted the car on every side, and the sounds of the falling trees which came
"Crackling, crashing, thundering down,"
were not few nor far between. Soon luxuriant fields of wheat. corn and oats, were waving in the breeze, and in many the golden pumpkin, that luxury of the new settlement, dotted the fields far thicker than the blackened stumps.
The north and north-westerly parts of the town were very thinly settled up to the completion of the middle section of the Erie Canal in 1820. This section of the town lying be- tween the Canal and Wood Creek on the north, and the Oneida Lake on the west, is very level, with but barely fall
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enough to the north and north-west to allow of its being drain- ed. The soil is rich, much of it alluvial, and when it comes to be properly tilled and drained, will be excellent for meadow and pasturage, and in many sections good for grain. This part of the town was very heavily timbered with becch, ma- ple, elm, oak, ash, hemlock and with some cedar and pine.
The Erie Canal nearly divides the town into equal seetions. That part lying southerly and easterly of it is not hilly, but is mostly undulating, rising in swells one above the other towards the south. Verona, as a farming town, has few equals in the county, particularly in the older settled parts, where her farmers admit of no superiors, in the nest and orderly arrangement of their farms, or in the quality and quantity of products.
VILLAGES .- Verona Village is six miles south-westerly from Rome, on the road leading from Rome to Oneida Cas- tle. This road runs near, in its whole distance, where once ran the trail of the Oneidas to Fort Stanwix. It is believed that Shubal Brooks felled the first tree at this place in the fall of 1797. Doct. Brundage was the first physician who came to the town, and he located in this village, on the corner where now stands Munger's tavern. This place was for many years quite generally known as " Hand's Village," thus named from Capt. Ichabod Hand, who many years kept an excellent public house at this place. There are in the village two churches, Methodist and Presbyterian, a post-office, three physicians, two stores, two taverns, a tannery, with all the different mechanics usually found in a country village.
Durhamville .- This village is located on the west line of
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the town on the Erie Canal and on the east side of the Onei- da Creek. It was named from Eber Durham, who removed from Manlius, Onondaga County, to this place in 1826. When he arrived there were four log houses in the bounds of the present village. By his energy, activity and enterprise, soon a flourishing village sprung up. One of the important ingredients in this rapid growth was the surplus water, here let off from the canal in large quantities, which Mr. Durham leased and extensively applied to hydraulic purposes. This source of prosperity is now dried up, as the canal officers have found by experience that the rents illy paid for the damage to navigation, in times of low water, caused by the lessees drawing too closely to turn their machinery. These remarks are not intended for particular application to this place, but as general. The water now flows over a waste weir into the channel of the Oneida Creek, and is of no use whatever. The enterprising inhabitants have, however, en- deavored by the use of steam to make up the loss of water power.
There are now in the place a steam grist and flouring mill, and a steam saw-mill, besides two saw-mills carried by water from the Oneida Creek. Sanford's tannery is doing an cx- tensive business, he having in the year 1849, tanned thirty thousand sides of sole leather, averaging sixteen pounds cach. He tans for a commission of five cents per pound.
The glass factory in this village is doing a good business. It is owned by three brothers, the Messrs. Fox. It is kept in blast from cight to ten months in the year, and makes about sixteen hundred boxes of window glass, of fifty feet each, per month, averaging at wholesale three dollars per box. A continuous plank road extends from this place, via Oneida Depot, Oncida Castle and Vernon to Utica.
An iron foundry in the village, principally employed in the
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manufacture of stoves, does a very fair business. There are two houses for public worship, Baptist and Methodist, two physicians, two dry-goods stores, two taverns, nine grocery and provision stores, three ware-houses, with various me- chanics, etc., etc., with a population of five to six hundred in- habitants. In 1816, Calvin W. Baker was married at this place. It was the first wedding of a white couple solemnized between the Oneida Castle and Oncida Lake.
Four miles easterly from Durhamville is the Dunbarton Glass Factory, a flourishing establishment, where a large amount of superior glass is manufactured annually.
One mile east, is Higginsville, a small village, at the june- tion of the Erie and Oneida Lake Canals. The Oneida Lake Canal was originally owned and constructed by a company, but has been purchased, and is now owned by the State. This canal running in a north-westerly course divides the north section of the town into two nearly equal parts.
New London .- This village contains about 100 dwellings and between 5 and 600 inhabitants. Ambrose Jones who first settled at this point on the Erie Canal in 1824, is still living in the town of Vienna.
In the place are a dry-goods store, a number of grocery and provision stores, two public houses, and the usual varie- ty of mechanic shops. Since the construction of the Erie Canal, the principal business of the place has been the ship- ment of lumber to the eastern markets. Much of the lumber is drawn to this place by teams during the winter, and upon the opening of the canal is sent on boats to its various places of destination. About 4,000,000 feet were shipped here during the year 1849.
Boat building is also extensively carried on at this place.
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Some years when the demand has warranted it, as many as fifty boats, of the various kinds used for freight, have been built in a year. About eighty canal boats are owned by the inhabitants of the village.
James I. Carley keeps a large storage and forwarding house, and from his long experience, and an extensive ac- quaintance, almost monopolises the business of the place in that line.
Rathbunville .- At this place Achus Rathbun, a member of the society of Friends first settled. His son, Solomon Rath- - bun, is now the business man of the place, and deserves great credit for his perseverance in continuing and increasing his business, after having his establishment twice destroyed by fire. He has a large flouring mill, woolen factory and store. Rathbunville is the name of the post-office.
Tilden Hill is the name of a locality in the south-east part of the town. although it does not aspire to the dignity of a village. Its inhabitants are farmers, and few as pleasant lo- cations can be found in the county. The scenery is pictur- esque and beautiful. Here the venerable Artemas Brewer, one of the pioneers of the town, resides in a substantial brick mansion. A man named Strallon, first bought and moved upon the hill. Merrit Clark moved to the hill in 1798, and opened a small store and commenced the manufacture of pot- ash. This the author believes was the first store in Verona, but possibly is mistaken. Mr. Clark built a small framed dwelling so near the standing timber that in cutting it away a tree unluckily fell upon the house and broke in a portion of the roof. The disaster was not repaired for years, the busi- ness was discontinued, and the merchant left for parts un- known. Mr. John Tilden from whom the hill took its name,
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moved here in 1800. At the time the following anecdote was told of him.
After he had purchased but before he removed, he came up to view his farm, and satisfying himself, he went to Vernon Village to spend the night. Capt. Benjamin Pier- son then kept the tavern, now known as the stage house. Mr. Tilden informed mine host that he wished to stop with him for the night but that he had spent his money, so that he had not a dollar, nor a two shilling piece, nor even a six penny piece left, but that the bill should eventually be paid. The Captain secing no appearance of poverty on the part of his guest. and knowing he had purchased a farm in the vi- cinity, readily told him he could stay. He had supper, lodg- ing, breakfast and horse keeping. In the morning as about to leave he enquired the amount of his bill. It was made out without any expectation of its being paid at that time, but to the surprise of our landlord and his attendants. the wayfarer drew from his pocket a stocking well filled with half dollars, and paid the bill, convincing the landlord that he was a man of truth, for in the capacious wallet, there was not a dollar, two shilling, or six penny piece.
Stacy's Basin is the name of a small village on the Eric Canal, between Higginsville and New London, and is about the size of the former place.
Sconandoal .-- This village is located in the south-west cor- ner of the town, on the creek of this name, and near where it empties into the Oneida Creek. The late Samuel S. Breese, formerly had a cotton factory at this place, but it has been discontinued for several years. Mr. Breese's mansion was beautifully located in a grove, and few more picturesque country seats were seen in the county. The water power at
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this place was first used by the celebrated Sconandoah, by the erectiou of a grist and saw-mill for the use of his tribe and the very few whites located at the time in the vicinity. The line between this town and Vernon passes through the vil- lage, leaving however but a small portion of it in Vernon.
GEOLOGY.
The surface of this town, in common with many others in the county, bears evidence that at least large portions of it were once covered with water. The appearances also indi- cate that the subsiding of the waters was not uniform and gradual, but that for a long period they remained stationary, and then by some mighty convulsion its outlets became low- ered or changed, so that large sections were at once drained and eventually became dry land. The ridge known in the town as the " Irish Ridge," as well as the sand banks on the road from Verona Village to Durhamville, give at least strong evidenee in favor of the theory.
Iron ore of the best quality found in this region, is very abundant in this town. It is of that kind termed rock ore, and has been extensively used in the Westmoreland, Taberg, and other furnaces.
There is so much lime mingled with it, that in its usc, it fluxes the furnace sufficiently, without the aid of those sub- stanees resorted to in the use of many other varieties of orc. This ore was discovered by the late Jedediah Phelps, Esq., who had entered into a contract with the owners of certain lots of land, that he should have a certain per cent of all mines and minerals for the discovery. Whether this was but a life interest, or whether it accrues to his heirs, the author is
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uninformed. The ore bed is about half a mile north of Ver- ona Village, and is extensive east and west. The Syracuse and Utica rail road passes over it.
An extensive quarry of the very best stone for building has been opened in the south-west section of this town. The seams are so straight and perpendicular that, used in a wall it nearly equals in appearance the best cut stone. Some of the strata are of a yellowish cast, and slightly softened on the surface, but the inside is blue, very hard, and of great strength, and other strata are blue and clean upon the surface. The academy, Dr. Case's store, and the bank at Vernon Vil- lage, and deacon Cobb's dwelling house at the Oneida Depot, are built of this stone. The rail road passing directly past the quarry, this stone has been conveyed by cars as far west as Syracuse, notwithstanding the contiguity of that city to the Onondaga limestone. It is also conyeyed by teams to the surrounding towns to face the underpinnings of the best houses. Such is the reputation of Tipple's stone quarry that it is becoming quite a source of profit to its owner.
A ledge of granite rock crosses quite a section of this town. It commences north of the road leading from Verona Vil- lage to Clark's settlement, and crosses this road at a place known as the stone pound. Its course from its commence- ment is south-easterly, leaving this town and passing into Westmoreland a little east of the Verona Spring. It con- sists of blocks of various sizes, many of which are too heavy to be removed until broken up by drilling and blasting. It is valuable for building purposes.
The Verona Medicinal Spring rises in the bed of a small stream where it passes over the last mentioned ledge or quar- ry. It was discovered by the early settlers in the neighbor- hood, but about twenty years since was brought into more
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general public notice ; since which the stream has been turn- ed in another channel, and a bathing house erected over the spring, and a large and extensive boarding house built a few rods distant. Its patronage has not however equalled the investment, still the water has been gradually gaining in pub- lic favor. It is believed that if valetudinarians were only seeking health, instead of fashionable amusements, this would rank as high as any in the state, for the cure of serofula and cutaneous diseases.
In 1850, a " Water Cure " establishment was added, which has increased the boarders and visitors greatly beyond any former year. The mineral water is any thing but palatable. and the gay and dissipated seek more pleasant beverages and congenial locations.
The following analysis of the water was made by Dr. Josi- ah Noys, late Professor of Chemistry, in Hamilton College. Where his qualifications are known his correctness as a scien- tific chemist is appreciated : " A gallon of water contains muriate of soda 720 grains, muriate of lime with a little mag- nesia 68 grains, sulphate of lime 60 grains. I have not de- tected any iodine, yet think the water contains it, from its beneficial effects in scrofulous complaints. The water ap- pears to be nearly saturated with sulphurated hydrogen, but I have not attempted to ascertain the quantity. From what I have seen of its salutary operation I am confirmed in the high opinion I first formed of its medicinal properties, es- pecially in scrofula, diseases of the skin, and many diseases of the stomach. The Harrowgate water, England, is very simi- lar to the Verona Spring."
RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES.
The first sermon preached in the town, was by the Rev.
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Joseph Avery, of Tyringham, Berkshire County, Massachu- setts, while upon a visit to his son, the late Samuel Avery, one of the first settlers. The first preacher employed by the people was a Mr. Masey, a candidate for the ministry, who preached a portion of the time in this, and the other portion in an adjoining town, for one season.
The next was Stephen Williams, from New Hampshire. who (unknown to this people) had been silenced for immor- ality. He was a man of good talents, and, until his charac- ter became known, an acceptable and popular preacher. He however refused to administer the ordinances. When his. standing became known, he was dismissed by the people, when he returned to the association to which he had belonged. made a humble confession, and was restored to his office.
The first church organization in town was August 5th. 1803. It was a Congregational church formed by the Rev. Peter Fish and the Rev. Timothy Cooley, missionaries, the one a Congregationalist, the other a Presbyterian. It consis- ted of twenty-three members, thirteen males and ten females. The ordinances were administered upon the occasion.
In November, 1806, the first religious society was formed " to provide the privileges of the gospel for themselves and families." The articles of agreement were signed by sixty- five heads of families. A peculiar blessing seems to have followed those who made this early effort, and rested on them- selves and families. In many instances the truth of the proverb of the wise man was verified, " he that watereth, shall be watered also himself."
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