USA > New York > Oneida County > Annals and recollections of Oneida County > Part 55
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
As late as 1792 or 1793, an Indian who had by some. means the Dutch name of Han Yost appended to him, and who married a grand-daughter of the celebrated Scanandoa, was discovered about noon, by Judge Dean and family in the highway, some fifty or sixty rods from his house, coming towards it on the run, evidently intoxicated, and giving the
756
ANNALS OF ONEIDA COUNTY.
[CHAT.
death whoop, that dismal yell which has caused many a bold heart to quail. When arrived at the house, he immediately entered, passed through the kitchen, to the sitting room, where Judge Dean was, and demanded money which he pre- tended the Judge owed him. Judge Dean told him he owed him nothing, that he had ever paid his red brothers every cent that was their due, that he had never speculated out of the Indians. Han Yost replied, that if the Judge would not let him have the money he would take his life. and drew his knife, that constant companion of the savage, and made towards him. Mrs. Dean, who, though in feeble health, was a woman possessed of uncommon strength and fortitude of mind, now caught up one of those long heavy iron handled shovels, that graced the corners of the broad backed fire places of our early settlers, and placed herself directly between her husband and Han Yost, and was evidently about to strike a blow which would probably have cleft the skull of the savage. considering the weight of the weapon, and the cause which nerved the arm that wielded it. Judge Dean, quick as thought, foreseeing and wishing to avoid future consequences, said, " my dear, don't strike, don't strike," which stayed the arm that held the weapon. She, however, kept her post between her husband and his foc, kept the Indian at bay, while the Judge coolly drew his handkerchief from his pocket, wrapped it around his hand, then quickly darted past his wife, and succeeded in securing the knife. Judge Dean was now on equal ground, and as his opponent was too far intoxicated to make a very stout resistance, he shortly had him confined in the cellar, where the fumes of the liquor soon caused him to fall into a sound sleep, from which he did not awake until the next morning. At that time he humbly begged to be re- leased, and promised to behave better in future. After hav- ing regained his liberty, he very humbly asked the Judge's
757
WESTMORELAND.
pardon, and said " he never could be thankful enough that they had prevented his taking the life of his very good friend."
CHAPTER III.
It had been a cold rainy day, in the month of November. the year not now known, neither is it necessary for our pur- pose, any further than to say it was soon after the white man! had commenced his depredations upon the dense forests of Oneida. I say it had been a cold rainy day, and when the evening sat in, large flakes of snow were seen intermingled with the rain, such a storm as would admonish the most har- dy of the necessity of seeking an early shelter. Judge Dean, before retiring to rest, looked out on his little " improve- ments," and saw that the snow was in a measure gaining the ascendancy, for the blackened stumps and logs stood out in bold relief on the white ground work.
Long after the Judge had retired to rest, he heard a noise at his door, as if same person was trying to gain admittance. He continued to listen, and at length became satisfied that it was some benighted son of the forest, partially intoxicated. and as the door was securely bolted, he made up his mind he would not be troubled or disturbed at that late hour, exen- sing himself, that the Indian might have obtained his lodg- ings where he did his liquor. After hearing the fruitless ef- forts continued some fifteen or twenty minutes, the Indian cv- idently gave up his efforts as if discouraged. The Judge then heard in the low, soft, guttural and plaintive sounds of the Oneida tongue, an appeal which thrilled through his bo- som, causing the blood to course swiftly and warmly to his heart.
Literally translated, it was-" Alas ! must I then perish, at the door of my friend ! "
758
ANNALS OF ONEIDA COUNTY.
[CHAP.
What an appeal ! to use an expression of Burns on a dif- ferent occasion ; " compared to this" the studied and finished periods of pathos, " are tame."
It is hardly necessary to add that nothing further was re- quisite to open the Judge's heart, his door, his fire, and his pantry.
Judge Dean received repeated evidence of the confidence of his fellow citizens. For a number of years he was one of the Judges of the Oneida Common Pleas, and he was twice honored with a seat in the House of Assembly. As a magis- trate, he was upright and impartial. In politics he was ar- dently attached to the federal school.
He was twice married. By his first marriage (which has been mentioned) he had six children, four sons and two daughters. His eldest son, James, was educated at Union College, and chose the profession of law, which he practiced a number of years. He was elected to the Assembly, and took his seat in that body in 1820. He was afterwards ap- pointed a Judge of the County Courts, and more subsequent- ly was elected County Clerk, which office he held for one term. He resided many years in Utica, where he died May 22, 1841, aged fifty-three years. Luke C. the second son of the Judge, is a farmer, and resides in the old family mansion. John, the third son, was also a farmer. He died in July. 1849, aged fifty-seven. Electa, the oldest daughter, is the wife of Hon. Joshua A. Spencer, of Utica. Mary, the youn- gest daughter, is the reliet of the late Augustus G. Morrison, and resides in the vicinity of her father's former residence. The author believes he is but rendering a just tribute to de- parted worth in speaking of the two deceased sons, James and John. They were his earliest school-mates, and during
759
WESTMORELAND.
XXVIII.]
their lives considered as among his choicest friends. Honest and without guile, they were ornaments to society. James possessed of all that fortune could bestow, was ever affable and kind. John, in the latter part of his life, had the misfor- tune 'to have his usefulness impaired to some extent, by in- juries resulting from being kicked by a horse, yet, through life, he was the noble, benevolent friend and benefactor of his race.
Judge Dean was quite an extensive farmer. The evening of his life was spent in that pleasant quiet, rendered thrice welcome from the eventful vicissitudes of its ante-meridian portion.
His first wife died July 3d, 1814. He was again married to Cynthia Phelps, (widow of Joseph Phelps), who survived him a number of years.
IIe died September 10th, 1823, in the seventy-sixth year of his age.
Judge Dean was a good scholar, and as a writer his style was beautiful and chaste. After the close of the Revolution- ary contest, he wrote a lengthy essay upon the Indian myth- ology. The manuscript was lent to President Dwight, but never returned. This work, upon which much time and labor had been expended, and which no doubt contained much that would be valuable, is now probably lost to the world. He was a firm and professed believer in the Christian religion.
The following obituary of Capt. John Vaughan, will be read with interest. It is believed, that no other family in this county, and probably very few in this country, ean show such a number of descendants from the same father and mother. The obituary was at the time cut by one of his neighbors from the Utica Patriot, but does not contain the month or year of his decease, and the author has been unable
760
ANNALS OF ONEIDA COUNTY.
[CHAP.
to ascertain the time, nearer than that it was between Janu- ary and July, 1820, and probably in May. His wife survived him.
.. DIED .- On the 9th inst., in the town of Westmoreland, Captain JOHN VAUGHAN, aged eighty-seven years and eight months. He was born in the year 1733. At the age of twenty he married Ann Beche. and lived with the wife of his youth sixty-seven years. By her he has the following descendants, most of whom, it is believed, are now liv- ing, viz :
Children 11
Grand Children, - 134
Great-grand Children, - 236
Great great grand Children, - 8 Total, - 382
Providence had bestowed on him a firm constitution-great bodily activity-a commanding stature, and strong powers of mind. At the age of twenty-two, he commanded as a captain, at the northward, in the old French war ; and in our revolution he was found fighting for the liberties of his country at Boston, New York and West Point. Ile was always a patriot. He died in the hope and in full faith of the gospel of our Redeemer."
Isaac Jones was born March 6th, 1750, about thirty miles south of Boston, in Bristol County, Massachusetts. During most of the Revolution he was engaged in the transportation of military stores. Near the commencement of 1777, he changed his residence to New Marlborough, Berkshire Co., Mass. He still continued in the service of his country, until nearly, or quite to the close of the war. In 1787, har- ing previously married, he removed to Clinton, and com- menced upon the farm owned for many years by Captain Aaron Kellogg, and now by his son, Hiram H. Kellogg. He remained there but a short time, and then removed to West- moreland. He was the first supervisor of this town. He
761
WESTMORELAND.
XXVIII. ]
rendered himself conspicuous by his zealous advocacy of the democratie platform, when he had as coadjutors but two vo- ters iu this town. He was a man of strong native powers of mind, and great independence of character. He died on the 16th of October, 1808, in the town of Vernon, whither he had removed a few years previously.
Joseph Jones, a brother of Isaac, was born at the same place, February 21, 1757, and removed to New Marlborough, about the same time. He came to Westmoreland in the spring of 1787, and resided for many years a few rods west of the Baptist meeting house in Lairdsville. He held the office of supervisor four years, that of a justice of the peace more than twenty years, and for a considerable period was post- master and town clerk. During the time he was a justice of the peace, he was the only acting magistrate in his section of the town, when the duties of the office were very considera- ble. Notwithstanding his early advantages had been so lim- ited, that he had the benefit of but two days' attendance at school, still by his unaided application, he well qualified him- self for the offices conferred upon him by his fellow citizens. He died in Vernon, March 3, 1835, in the seventy-ninth year of his age.
In copying the following obituary notice of his honored father, the author believes no apology is necessary. It was written by the younger Judge James Dean.
" DIED .- In Westmoreland, on the 19th of December, 1838, Captain NEHEMIAH JONES, a patriot of the Revolution, and one of the pioneers of central New York, aged seventy-eight years and six months.
" The triumph of his country's arms having rendered his services in the ' tented field ' no longer necessary, the subject of this brief no- tice, with the enterprise characteristic of the sons of New England,
762
ANNALS OF ONEIDA COUNTY.
[CHAP.
removed in January, 1787, with his family and a numerous circle of relatives, from the state of Massachusetts, to that part of Whitestown, since called Westmoreland (then an almost unbroken forest), where he continued to reside from that time till his death. Being of a stu- dious and contemplative turn of mind, he early acquired from read- ing and reflection, an ample fund of useful knowledge, which com- bined with his native kindness of heart, and peculiarly devotional feelings, rendered his society and conversation highly interesting and instructive. The loss of hearing, however, and other bodily infirmi- ties, withdrew him some years since from the scenes of active life, and greatly abridged his social intercourse ; but through the favor of Providence his powers of mind remained unimpaired until near the close of life.
" Having a happy talent of versification, he employed much of his time during this interval in composing hymns and other devotional pieces. Indeed his pen was at all times a ready resource; so that, thoughi deprived in a great degree, by his deafness, of the pleasures of conversation, he never sunk into listlessness and gloom, but greet- ed every one who called on him both old and young, with a look beaming with happiness, and redolent of the purest love. In the vigor of manhood he embraced the religion of JESUS, and exemplified its spirit and its power, in his daily walk and conversation, having been for more than thirty-five years past a consistent member of the Baptist church. Such having been his life, his death was peace. The wife of his youth, and companion of his life, survives him, still to re- ceive the grateful ministrations of filial piety and love, and thus, as well as by her society, to impart the holiest gratification to the cher- ished circle of which she has been so long a beloved inmate."
" D.ED .- At Vernon, Oneida County, on the 11th of October, 1849, Capt. STEPHEN BRIGHAM, in the 96th year of his age.
" The subject of this notice was born in Shrewsbury, Worcester Co., Mass., May 13th, 1754. At the commencement of the war of the Revolution he left his home on the morning after the battle of Lex- ington, and joined the American army, near Boston, as a volunteer.
" He soon after enlisted as a private soldier for the term of 8 months, and was in the memorable battle of Bunker Hill, on the 17th of June.
"Some time after he returned from the army he removed to Cheshire Go., New Hampshire, where he remained until 1790, when he removed
763
WESTMORELAND.
xxVIII.]
to what is now Oneida Co., N. Y., and settled in Westmoreland. In 1812, he removed to Vernon, which has been the place of his resi- denee until the time of his death.
" In early life, while living in New Hampshire, he, with his wife made a public profession of religion, in connection with the Congre- gational Church in Fitzwilliam. After his removal to Westmoreland, he, with his wife, were a part of the small number of thirteen who were organized into a church in that place. On his removal to Ver- non, his church relation was removed to the church at Vernon Cen- tre, where he continued a member until the time of his death.
" He has uniformly sustained a good character for uprightness and integrity, and has in the last years of his life seemed ripening for a better world and to be waiting with calmness and resignation for his great and last change.
" Vernon, October 15, 1849."
The lot of Captain Brigham was peculiarly a hard one. He settled in Westmoreland carly in 1790, and " took up " the farm upon which David Mansfield now resides. He had cleared this farm and erected good buildings, and by his in- dustry and economy had arrived at easy and independent circumstances. A nephew of the Captain, named Abel Brig- ham, having commenced business as a merchant between Hampton and the furnace, was for a time successful but even- tually failed, and was confined in jail by his New York cred- itors. Captain Brigham and Walter Cone became his bail, that he might have the benefit of the jail liberties. As our laws then were, it was not necessary that the writ in an ac- tion for an escape should be served upon the sheriff while the prisoner was off the limits to render the bail liable. The bail were sued for an escape, and on the trial a witness was introduced who swore positively that upon a certain evening, between eight and mine o'clock, he saw Abel Brigham off the jail liberties. By this testimony a judgment was obtained against the bail. The prisoner denied having been beyond
764
ANNALS OF ONEIDA COUNTY. [CHAP.
the limits of the jail liberties, and subsequently the witness was indicted for perjury. Captain Brigham and Mr. Conc were in turn placed in close confinement, and such were the fears of renewed perjury, that for weeks no one was willing to bail them. They were both members of the Congrega- tional Church, and Mr. Eells, then the pastor, refused to ad- minister the ordinance of the supper while two of its mem- bers were in prison for the debt of another. The male mem- bers of the church then united in giving them the liberty of the jail limits. They were compelled, however, to remain for months in duress waiting for the trial of the indictment for perjury, which would test the validity of the judgment against them. The trial at length came on, and Abel Brig- ham testified positively that he was not at the place designa- ted upon the night in question, but remained within the liber- ties, and another witness testified that he was with him upon that evening, and as he believed until after nine o'clock, at another place, but did not recollect to have seen a time-piece. This did not, as was decided, amount to the testimony of two witnesses, necessary for a conviction, and the jury therefore rendered a verdict of not guilty. This was ruinous to Capt. Brigham, and he was eventually turned off his farm, and re- ·moved to Vernon in the fall of 1812. Mr. Conc was more fortunate. Possessed of larger means, and the war of 1812 soon coming on, rendering money plenty and easily made, he was enabled to keep his farm. The witness was suddenly possessed of more property than ever before, but nothing further was elicited until he was upon his death-bed. When about to be called before that tribunal where perjury never avails the guilty, he fully confessed the perjury and the transaction to have been one of the blackest conspiracies. But it was too late, the act had been consummated, and no carthly tribunal could restore the lost farm to Capt. Brig-
765
WESTMORELAND.
XXVIII. ]
ham. Such were his feelings, although frequently in West- moreland, that at the time of his death he had never once seen his old farm after the time he first left it.
Joseph Blackmer, sen., removed into the town in 1789, and died in February, 1795, over 70 years of age. He and his two sons, Ephraim and Joseph, were men of great energy and decision of character, which it would seem were inherited, and are illustrated by the following well-authenticated anecdote :
The father of Joseph Blackmer, sen., resided at Kent, Connecticut. He had two sons, Paul, the eldest, and Joseph, the subject of this notice. These sons, after arriving at man- hood, though still in their minority, were promised by their father the permission to accompany him upon a short jour- ney to the " Nine Partners," a tract of country then known by that name in Dutchess County, in this State. In those staid days when the bump of locality was suffered to acquire some prominence, such a tour required quite an effort, and those who performed such a journey, were considered to have scen something of the world. The sages of those times never so much as dreamed of an iron horse which would convey 500 passengers 200 miles between the hours of dinner and tea. Although Paul was the oldest, still in size Joseph was fully his equal, and they wore boots and shoes from the same last, and therefore had these necessary articles somewhat in common. Between them they had a pair of boots and a pair of shoes for the journey. In discussing the arrangements for the trip for several days before they sat out, Paul claim- ed the boots from seniority of age, while Joseph claimed at least an equal right to them, from equality in size. Without any particular acrimony, these claims were argued with considerable tenacity, and sometimes in the presence of their father, who, however, did not interfere, and upon the morn-
760
ANNALS OF ONEIDA COUNTY
ECHAR
ing fixed for their departure, the matter was no nearer an adjustment than when broached. The father now considered it time for him to assume the arbitrament of the matter ". Sons," said he, " I have waited a number of days, and until now, for you to settle the question, but I see that at last I must decide it for you, you must cach ucar a boot and a shoe upon your journey." The two young men were now very much in the predicament of the mother of the living child in the days of Solomon, and they each now begged the privilege of wearing the shoes. " No," says the father, " I gave you a sufficient time to settle the matter, you have fail- ed to do so, I have decided, there is no appeal," and the two young gentlemen had to travel outward bound and homeward bound to and from the " Nine Partners," with each of their nether extremities encased. as related in the old song.
" One foot a boot, 'twas he had on, On t' other one a shoe, sir."
and here the anecdote ends, each reader being left to form an opinion for himself, whether it is probable that the father had afterwards often to act as umpire between his sons.
Ephraim Blackmer, who has been named as having moved into the town in January, 1787, was, for the few years he lived, a prominent citizen of the town and county. Early in the organization of Herkimer County, he was commissioned a justice of the peace and assistant justice. He was the eldest son of Joseph Blackmer, sen .. and brother of the junior of the same name. He died of consumption. Feb. 27, 1796, aged 40 years.
Joseph Blackmer, jun .- The following obituary notice of this early resident of the town is taken from the Rochester American.
-
767
XXVIII. ]
WESTMORELAND.
" DIED .- In Wheatland. Monroe County, on the 26th of March, 1848, JOSEPH BLACKMER, Esq., in the eighty-first year ofhis age.
" He was born in Kent, Litchfield County, Conn., October 2, 1767; his parents removed with him when about three years of age to New Marlborough, Berkshire Co., Mass., where he resided until he arrived at manhood ; he was married in early life, and in February, 1787, re- moved to the town of Westmoreland, Oneida County, which was then an almost unbroken wilderness. Here he and his associates endured hardships and privations in subduing the obstacles of a new country, which have seldom been experienced in later years. In 1808, here- . moved to Wheatland, where he has resided the last forty years. His mind was well informed by reading, and he was a close observer. He has done much to sustain civil and religious institutions and educa- tion-has filled the office of justice of the peace and assistant judge, and various offices of trust. and may emphatically be denominated a publie spirited man. He died respected and esteemed."
Roderick Morrison was born in Hebron. Connecticut, De- cember 30th, 1763. In early life he was thrown almost entirely upon his own resources, and his opportunities were extremely limited. He enlisted into the continental army when six- teen years of age. He belonged to the Connecticut regiment, and its members, like true sons of New England, set up a regimental school, where those in need could acquire the ru- diments of an education. In this school young Morrison be- came a good penman, and sufficiently versed in arithmetic to transact the ordinary business of life. Although among the youngest and latest enlistments into the continental army, he acquired that standing as a soldier, that he received a ser- geant's warrant some time previous to his discharge. He was honorably discharged, December 31st, 1783. He left Con- necticut and came to reside in Cambridge, Washington Co., in 1787, and was the next year married to Charlotte Bessee. In Cambridge, he commenced as a farmer. In 1797, having previously sold his farm, he removed to Westmoreland, where
768
ANNALS OF ONEIDA COUNTY.
[CHAP.
ho resided the remainder of his life. Few men enjoyed to the same extent the confidence of their fellow citizens. He was supervisor of the town for fifteen years, a longer term than any other individual has held the office. He was for many years a justice of the peace. He held a seat in the house of Assembly in 1816. As an agriculturalist, Esquire Morrison was eminently successful. IIe was a close obser- ver, and in the habit of making numerous notes and entries of the starting and progress of vegetation, etc., which became of great use to him in selecting the proper time for planting and sowing, as well as the different kinds of farm work. He died August 17th, 1843, in the eighty-first year of his agc.
Jared Chittenden, Esq, was a native of Connecticut, and was born May 2d, 1758. He enlisted for " during the war " in 1775. in a battalion of artillery, raised by that state, which also raised the same year a squadron of horse. The state of New York simultaneously raised a battalion of artillery and a squadron of horse. Early in the contest the two battal- ions of artillery were consolidated, and formed Lamb's regi- ment of artillery, and by an arrangement was considered as belonging to the New York State line. The two squadrons of horse were united and formed Sheldon's regiment of light horse. These two far-famed regiments, probably rendered as efficient service to their country, as any two regiments in the continental army. By this arrangement the subject of this notice was transferred from the Connecticut to the New York line. For his efficiency and good qualifications he early received a sergeant's warrant. He served through that con- test, which emphatically tried not only their souls, but the physical powers of those engaged in it, and was honorably discharged at its close, having been almost eight years in the service. From the accounts given by his eotemporaries there
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.