USA > New York > Chenango County > Oxford > Annals of Oxford, New York : with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and early pioneers > Part 24
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Sec. V. Swine, geefe, and ducks fhall not be fuffered to go at large within the village, and if any fuch are found it fhall be the duty of the Ediles or any one of them, to caufe the fame to be impounded, and the Edile fo impounding the fame fhall immediately thereafter caufe a notification thereof to be fet up on one of the pofts of the central arch of the bridge. * * *
Sec. XI. AND WHEREAS it is important both to the convenience and fafety of the citizen, that no obftruction be interpofed to the fafe paffage over the Chenango-bridge in faid village, BE IT RESOLVED, That no individual or individuals fhall be fuffered at any time here- after to ufe the faid bridge as a log way, or to lay or depofit thereon any log, logs, or timber of any kind. * * 1
Sec. XII. BE IT ALSO RESOLVED, That as foon hereafter as the treafury fhall be in a fituation competent to difburfe the neceffary expenfe, and on the order of the Prefident, the Ediles fhall caufe Main- ftreet, from the houfe of Uri Tracy, efquire, to the bridge, Greene- ftreet, as far as the Academy, Academy-Square, Merchant's Row, Fort Hill Square, Market Square, Water-ftreet from the houfe of Anfon Cary, efquire, 'to the house now occupied by John B. Johnfon, and Cay- uga-ftreet to the fchool-houfe, to be lined with lombardy populars or other ornamental trees.
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Sec. XIV. WHEREAS ALSO, the firing of guns in the public ftreets and fquares of the village is a boyifh paftime, not unfrequently at- tended with great mifchiefs and hazard to the citizen, the fame is hereby prohibited. *
Sec. XIX. The foregoing bye-laws fhall be immeditely printed in the Chenango Patriot and fhall go into operation the firft day of October, one thoufand eight hundred and ten, and not before. By order of the Trustees, THOMAS BUTLER, PRESIDENT.
When I . sleep in dull cold marble,
Say, I taught thee.
-SHAKESPEARE.
David G. Barber.
David .G. Barber, A. M., born February 19, 1817, in Fort Ann, N. Y .; died December 1, 1899, in Oxford; mar- ried September 22, 1841, Milicent E. Griswold of New Berlin, born August 9, 1819, died December 6, 1901, in Oxford.
Mr. Barber was born on a farm, but in early life de- veloped a desire for an education, which was obtained in the district schools, at the old Academy at Hamilton, and at Oxford Academy, then under the charge of Prof. Merrit G. McKoon. He first taught in Litchfield, N. Y., and then in other district schools until he located at South New Berlin, where he taught a select school for several years. From there he went to Norwich and taught in the Academy, returning to South Berlin, and in 1859 took charge of Oxford Academy as principal, a position he held eleven years. No teacher in the long list of instruc- tors in the Academy, the history of which covers more than
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a century, ever had the love and respect that Prof. Barber commanded. He was gentle, kind, and patient, harsh words and forcible methods were unknown, and his school was a model of good order and earnest work on the part of his pupils. The Academy, during his principalship, en- joyed a successful season, and was largely attended. A large number of prominent business and professional men throughout the country, " my boys," as he was accustomed to call them, owe their success in life to the teachings and moral principals instilled into their minds by Prof. Barber of Oxford Academy. His mild, persuasive powers won that love and respect for him that can never be for- gotten. In recognition of his successful work as an in- structor Madison University, now Colgate, conferred upon him, in 1855 the honorary degree of Master of Arts. Years previous he was made a town superintendent of schools, an office now extinct, a position he held three years. In 1870 he was elected school commissioner for the second district of Chenango county on the Democrat ticket, and resigned the principalship of the Academy. He held the office for three successive terms, and conducted its affairs faithfully. On his retirement from official duties he lived a quiet life in his pleasant home just above the village, and died commanding the respect of the community. In accordance with his expressed wish a gold-headed cane, presented to him by his pupils while in the Academy, was placed in the casket and buried with him in Riverside cemetery.
Children :
ELIZABETH FREELOVE, died in infancy.
ZORADA, married Rev. Lewis Halsey; died January 2, 1900, in Phoenix, Ariz.
CAROLINE, married George S. Keyes.
AZALIA, married William T. Coggshall.
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Clock of the household, the sound of thy bell Tells the hour, and to many 'tis all thou canst tell ; But to me thou canst preach with the tongue of a sage, And whisper old tales from life's earliest page. -ELIZA COOK.
Benjamin Moore.
Benjamin Moore, born October 19, 1776, in Massa- chusetts; died April 16, 1846, in Oxford; married in 1801, Margaret Bell, born July 20, 1784, in the Parish of And- worth, Galloway, Scotland; died February 9, 1845, in Oxford.
Mr. and Mrs. Moore came to Oxford shortly after their marriage in 1801, while the country was yet wild and unbroken. They were obliged to follow " blazed " trees, and often were followed by a pack of howling wolves which they kept at a distance by carrying firebrands. Their early life was passed amid hardships and privations known to the pioneers of Chenango county, of which the present generation have no comprehension .
Children, all born in Oxford :
ELIZABETH, born July 29, 1802; died March 5, 1877; married Thomas Root.
JOHN, born in 1805; died September 2, 1880; married June 5, 1834, Mary Ann Dodge, whose death occurred December 17, 1889. He was familiarly known as Capt. John Moore, receiving his title from being captain in the local militia. He was a man of remarkable business judg- ment, having accumulated what was considered in his day a large fortune. Children: Helen L., born October 5, 1835, died April 28, 1874, unmarried ; George L., born June 17, 1840, died April 6, 1887, married February 22, 1881,
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Carrie Darling of Guilford; Margaret Augusta, born Jan uary 2, 1851, died in childhood.
WILLIAM, born January 30, 1808; died in infancy.
BENJAMIN W., born June 8, 1813; died in infancy.
CHARLES B., born February 2, 1814; died suddenly September 19, 1896, on the farm upon which he was born, now occupied by his son. Married October 28, 1841, Har- riet N. Dodge, whose death occurred April 21, 1886. Mr. Moore held several town offices creditably and with ability, though he never sought political preferment. Child : Ward HI., married Estella Chaddon.
In records that defy the tooth of time. -YOUNG.
Assessment Roll.
The following memorandum is taken from assessment rolls of the town and shows the valuation of property as far back as 1807, or earlier, when the town was called Fayette :
TOWNSHIP OF FAYETTE.
Garrett Van Waggoner, $600; Peter Whiteside, $900; Jonathan Law- rence, $500; Samuel M. Hopkins, $600; John Quackinboss, $1860; George Gossmar, $2560.
OXFORD-GORE.
Andrew Mitchel, $400; Robert Gossmon, $680.
VILLAGE OF OXFORD.
Hoyt, Gold all that Lot of land Withe the Building there on, late the- homestead of Thomas Butler, Esq., in the village of Oxford at the N. E. end of academy Square so called is bounded and decribed as follows, to wit: beginning at a point N. *
* along Main Street to Tracy's land *
* by Dan Throop's land * to academy Square on the Common along Side Throop's line to the place of be- ginning, being 2 A 2 R 10 P, be it more or less. Amen. So say you all. Hoyt, Gold, the large store and lots on which it stands on fort hill
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Square in said village, Being Lots No. 3 & 4, in a village allotment of Lot 92 in Fayette. Being each 50 feet L 7 & a half, $800.
Assessment Roll of the Real and Personal Estates in the town of Oxford, in the County of Chenango, Made the fourteenth Day of May in the year of our Lord, one thousand Eight hundred and Seven, By Reuben Bristol, Gurdon Hewitt, and Benjamin Yale, Assessors for Said Town :
Ai Beard, $750; James Bennet, $525; Peter Burgot, $1900; Jonathan Baldwin, $1500; Zepheniah Eddy, $400; Benjamite Green, $360; Hosea Goodspeed, $50; Green Hall, $920.
Sink or swim, live or die, survive or perish, I give my hand and heart to this vote. -DANIEL WEBSTER.
Town Meeting, 1811.
At the annual town meeting held at Perkins' Hotel on the first Tuesday of March, 1811, the following persons were chosen to fill the following offices: Isaac Sherwood, supervisor; Erastus Perkins, town clerk; Samuel Smith, Lyman Ives, Hiel Tracy, assessors; Daniel Johnson, Levi Sherwood, poor masters; Luther Cowles, Daniel Tracy, Asa Gregory, commissioners of highways; Zalmon Smith, Samuel Smith, Alvan Woodworth, Silas Haven, Ira Locke, constables; Samuel Smith, collector. The pathmasters chosen were: David Richmond, Abel Gibson, Jr., Rufus Phelps, Benjamite Green, Levi Sherwood, Alexander Mc- Neil, John Nash, Zalmon Barnum, Archibald Lindsey, Hewitt Mills, Edward Hackett, Jr., Gerrit Burgot, Wil- mot Munson, Henry Gordon, Ebenezer Belknap,, Simon Cook, Augustus Parsons, Elam Yale, Simeon Parker, Thomas Richmond, John Dodge, Abraham Pier, Levi Yale, Gurdeon Chamberlain, Thomas Root, Roswell Drake, Kniffen Wilson, Elemuel Cornwell, John Anson, Daniel Smith, Josiah Hackett, Job Wilcox, William Bennett, Asa Sherwood, Emmaus Locke, Gideon Mead, Aaron Root, Asa Havens, Luther Austin, James Cure, Solomon Bundy,
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Roswell Holmes, Eliphalet Bristol, James Mudge, Jona- than Godfrey, Amos Rice, John Cely, Joseph White, Wil- liam Cable, Samuel Kent, Samuel Balcom. The fence viewers and pound keepers were: David Tillotson, Russel Root, Thomas Root, Isaac Boyce, Joseph Gifford, Peter Esten, Roswell Morgan, John Nash, Uriah Yale, Amasa Coleman, Amos Burlison, James Hayes, Daniel Johnson, Samuel Balcom, Andrew Miller, Francis Balcom, John Hull, John Miles, Daniel T. Dickinson, Daniel Wetherby. At this meeting it was
Voted, that the Fence viewers be pound keepers for the present year. Voted, that every pound keeper's yard be considered as a sufficient pound.
Voted, that the Fence viewers receive for their services six shillings a day.
Voted, that Hogs, Horses, Mules, Jacks or Jenneys shall not be free Commoners the present year, and every person taking either of them to pound shall be entitled to Twenty-five Cents a head.
Voted, that no beast or tame animal of the four footed kind, shall be a free commoner between the first day of November and April within half a mile of any Store, Tavern, Grist or Saw mill under a penalty of Twenty-five Cents a head.
Voted, that the owner of every Ram which is found running at large between the 10th day of September and the 10th day of Novem- ber shall forfeit the sum of Two Dollars.
Voted, that there be a bounty of Ten Dollars for each Wolf Scalp or Panther's caught within the bounds of this Town for the Present Year.
A true record of the Proceedings of Town Meeting for the present Year.
ERASTUS PERKINS, Clerk.
But just as he began to tell, The auld kirk-hammer strak the bell, Some wee short hour ayout the twal, Which raised us baith.
-BURNS.
The Village Bell Ringer.
The first bell in the county was placed in St. Paul's church in this village in 1818, and was rung for many years by an old man named Walter Dwight Russell. He was a well known character, and rang the bell on all occa-
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sions, morning, noon and night, and for funerals, after which he struck the age of the deceased. He used to say that he knew when he was a mile away whether he was ringing the bell or not. His business was boring pump logs for water to be conveyed through the village. The following is a fac simile of an advertisement from a paper of that period, which gives an idea of the character of the " old sexton " :
DING DONG BELL PAY ME OFF WELL.
T HE worthy inhabitants of the village of Oxford, who, for one long year, have heard the faithful and deep toned admonitions of the village bell, which reminds them of the hours of devotion, danger, rest, and refreshment, will, in their turn, please to salute my ears with the jingle of their CASH. But if they neglect this call, I swear by the " hollow head and long tongue " of my sleep destroying instrument, that the Justice shall rattle his precepts, and the Constable ring a peel that shall make both their ears tingle.
WALTER DWIGHT RUSSEL.
When I was sick you gave me bitter pills. -SHAKESPEARE.
Levi P. Wagner, M. D.
Dr. Levi P. Wagner was born in Georgetown, Madison county, in the year 1830. His early education was aca- demic, on completing which he entered the Albany Medi- cal College. Upon graduating he came to Oxford in Feb- , ruary, 1854, and commenced the practice of his profession in rooms now occupied by Dr. Chas. E. Thompson, dentist. He married January 15, 1857, Julia Emily Sands of Oxford, born February 4, 1838, in Franklin, N. Y. Mrs. Wagner was the daughter of Marcellus and Louisa ( Cham- berlain) Sands. Bereft of her parents at an early period in her life, she came to Oxford and resided with her uncle,
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Dr. Wm. G. Sands. Her education was completed at Oxford Academy. She died June 18, 1901, in Binghamton, while on a visit.
Dr. Wagner after his marriage purchased the residence now known as the Congregational parsonage and moved his office thereto, where he remained until commissioned surgeon of the 114th Regt., N. Y. Vol., July 29, 1862, when he immediately entered upon his duties of the office. On the departure of the regiment for the seat of war, Dr. Wagner was presented by his townsmen with a revolver, and by the Masonic lodge with a sword. He remained with the regiment till Sheridan's great battle in the valley of the Shenandoah, when he was detached and put in charge of the Depot Field Hospital at Winchester, Va., of which he had entire control until April 1, 1865. Thereafter he had a important position on the staff of Gen. Hancock, which he held till his muster-out. After the close of the Civil war, becoming enamored of the Southern country, the doctor engaged extensively in cotton raising near Charleston, S. C., where he died on the 14th of October, 1872.
During his residence in Oxford, Dr. Wagner, both in his profession and as a citizen, won a large share of the public respect and esteem, and in the more intimate relations of companion and friend, showed his more generous and ex- cellent gifts of head and heart. Mrs. Wagner, with her sons, returned from the South after the death of her husband and made her home in Norwich. Children :
WILLIAM SANDS, born August 23, 1858, in Oxford; mar- ried November 24, 1890, Sarah Scott in Norwich. Resides at Syracuse.
MAX, born March 14, 1867, in South Carolina; died October 1, 1900, near Panay, Island of Luzon; married Jennie Macey, and had two children. Served in the United
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States signal service for six years and later in the govern- ment weather bureau at Washington. At the outbreak of the war with Spain he volunteered in the signal service and spent several months in Cuba and Porto Rico. At the close of the war he was honorably discharged from service. Soon after he accepted a lieutenant's commission and went to the Philippines in charge of the signal service with the 26th U. S. Vol. Infantry. Was killed in ambush by Filipinos, while en route from Jaro to Santa Barbara with Private Lamareux.
MAUD, born September 21, 1868; died in infancy.
CLEMENT S., twin to Maud, resides in Norwich, and is station agent at Lackawanna depot. Unmarried.
FLORENCE, born in 1871; died in infancy.
In every rank, or great or small, 'Tis industry supports us all. -GAY.
Albert C. Hovey.
Albert C. Hovey, son of Simon Hovey of Guilford, N. Y., was born in that town April 17, 1827. His grandfather, who was an early settler in Guilford, was a brother of Gen. Benj. Hovey, the pioneer of Oxford who gave the town its name. Albert C. Hovey came to Oxford in the fall of 1860, and up to the time of his death, February 8, 1901, followed the occupation of a farmer. In politics he was an active worker in the Republican party, and for many years held the town office of assessor. He married (1) March 6, 1851, Mary L. Small of Millbury, Mass., born November 11, 1831; died July 31, 1858, in Millbury; mar-
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ried (2) January 2, 1859, Betsey Burton Woodruff, born June 22, 1825, in New Milford, Conn .; died October 1, 1901. Children, by first wife:
HARRIET F., married Gerrit Wheeler. Children : Nora, married Seymour Fleming; Emma, married Lee Bixby.
GEORGE A., died March 30, 1884; married (1) Julia Wheeler; married (2) Marilla Hartwell. Children by second wife: Luella, married Homer Padgett; Frank, married Bertha Gilbert; Ethel, married Alvin Stead.
HIRAM FRANK, in 1887 married Carrie E. Gifford of Oxford. He followed agricultural pursuits for many years and then moved into the village, where he now conducts an extensive livery business. He has been commissioner of highway and is now holding the office of deputy sheriff.
WILLIAM A., married Anna Doolittle.
Child by second wife:
MARY L., married Elroy V. Salisbury, and resides on the homestead.
To tell again a tale once fully told. -- BRYANT.
A Wolf Hunt.
In the winter of 1818-19 a wolf had its lair on Fitch Hill, three miles above this village, and sheep were missed nightly from the neighboring folds. Two young lads, Aaron B. Gates and Rathbone Lewis, believing they could kill the beast left the schoolhouse on the east side of the river at noon one day and started in pursuit. The only weapon they had was a gun, which Gates carried. On reaching Fitch Hill these bold young hunters found
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under a pine root the hiding place of the wolf, but it had left and they followed the tracks until dark into the town of Preston, being unsuccessful in their search. They re- traced their steps, but becoming tired and hungry stopped for the night with a hospitable neighbor. Next morning the boys were joined by a party of a dozen or more and again started in pursuit. Fresh tracks were found around the pine root, but the wolf was again missing and that day's hunt resulted as did the first. The chase was con- tinued for more than a week, and on one or two occasions kept up through the night by some of the hunters, but still the wolf eluded them and killed a sheep every night. Horns were blown at intervals to enable those in pursuit to keep advised of their companions scattered among the hills and valleys. Major James McCall of Preston, a great hunter, though rather portly, followed the trail three days on horseback. Finally the wolf was driven upon the flat below this village, managing though closely watched to elude the vigilance of those on guard, and ran upon the ice in the river, over the dam and under the bridge, making his escape in the direction of Pharsalia with the hunters closely following. Night coming on, a number of the party, including young Gates, halted at the log house of a Mr. Powell, between East Pharsalia and the " Hook." They were hospitably entertained and early in the morning con- tinued the pursuit, which was to close the chase. An old hunter named Breed, living near a large spruce swamp on what was then known as Moon Hill, hearing the horns of the approaching party, suspected the reason and watched; soon the wolf came in sight and was shot by him. The party, though disappointed at the result of the chase, determined to enjoy what was left of it, and placing the carcass in a sleigh drove to this village where a great time was had. They then went to Norwich, stopping
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at the Gates farm where another team was hitched to a large sleigh and the trophy of the chase placed in a con- spicuous position. At that early day liquor was sold in nearly every store, and, as the delegation halted in front of each, liberal potations were handed out and many of the boys got quite mellow before the finish. Mr. Breed claimed the large bounty then offered on wolves and got it.
Independence Day, 1824.
"I'd sooner ha' brewin' day and washin' day together than one o' these pleasurin' days. There's no work so tirin' as danglin' about an' starin', an' not rightly knowin' what you're goin' to do next.
-GEORGE ELIOT.
In July, 1824, the anniversary of American Independ- ence fell upon Sunday, but, notwithstanding this, the citi- zens were patriotic and held three celebrations on the following day. The Gazette of July 7, states :
INDEPENDENCE.
The anniversary of American Independence was celebrated in this village on Monday.
At an early hour a large concourse of citizens of this, and the ad- jacent towns, assembled at Perkins' Hotel. Capt. M'Call's troop of horse, and Capt. Glover's company of artillery, were paraded to unite with the citizens in the proceedings of the day, and deserve much credit for their martial appearance and military evolutions. A numerous procession was formed and proceeded to the Presbyterian Church. When the procession was formed there appeared on the ground, Six- teen Revolutionary officers and soldiers-men who had braved the dangers of war to secure our country's freedom. They formed them- selves into a hollow square, and Col. Tracy the marshal of the day, committed to their charge two national standards; which were borne by two of the veterans within the square. The sight of the colours under which they had fought and bled, and the sound of martial music, appeared to reanimate these old soldiers, they marched off the ground with military precision and firmness, in the full enjoyment of the blessings of Liberty and Independence. The exercises in the church were commenced by an impressive prayer, by the Rev. MR. WICKHAM.
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A choir of singers, and a band of Instrumental music, are deserving of great praise, for the highly creditable manner in which they per- formed the national and patriotic airs, and other musick selected for the occasion.
The Declaration of Independence was read by MR. THORP, at the close of which he very eloquently eulogized the writer and the signers of that instrument.
The Oration by MR. ALLEN, was listened to with the most profound attention. The auditors awarded to him their full approbation of the sentiments advanced by him, and were highly gratified by his pathos and his eloquence.
After the exercises at the church the procession again formed, and returned to the Hotel, where between 200 and 250 citizens sat down to an excellent dinner, provided by Mr. Perkins .- After dinner, Toasts were drank, accompanied with the discharge of cannon and music by the band.
In the afternoon upwards of 100 Ladies repaired to Doct. Packer's Island with a band of Musick, and partook of refreshments prepared for the occasion. Towards evening a number of Gentlemen joined them and the day was closed in sociable conversation with much good feelings. Several Volunteer Toasts were given containing much senti- ment, but which we are unable to publish for want of room.
The third celebration was reported in the Gazette, as follows :
FOURTH OF JULY IN OXFORD.
The day was celebrated with unprecedented brilliancy, on the summit of the eminence in rear of E. Clark's Hotel. Distinguished fellow citi- zens from the adjacent towns honored the day with their presence. Mr. Clark dined nearly 500 persons, and it was estimated that 1000 were present .- It was truly a proud day, for freemen rich and poor. Several revolutionary veterans rallied around the proudly waving flag of liberty, and drank the memory of our much loved Washington.
We select a few of the numerous Volunteer Toasts on the occasion : By a gentleman from Norwich :
The Young freemen of Chenango opposed to Patent Gentlemen and mock drawing-room dignity.
By a gentleman from Coventry :
The Yeomanry of the United-States-the tag-rags and bobtails, in the hour of doubt and peril their country's best defence.
By a gentleman from Bainbridge :
Our Farmers, Mechanics and Laborers-in time of war, Soldiers.
By a gentleman of Oxford :
The Sowers of discord-may they reap hemp well twisted.
By a gentleman of Oxford :
The officers and soldiers of our country-May they never draw the sword without cause, nor sheath it without conquest.
By a gentleman from Pharsalia :
..
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The American Fair-They will never Surrender to any arms but those of Freemen.
The Gazette of July 14, contains the following com- munication from the ladies :
MR. HUNT, The gentleman who furnished for your last week's paper the account of the celebration of the 4th July, at Perkins' Hotel in this village, connected with it also (inadvertently no doubt) the Ladies' celebration. The Ladies wish it to be distinctly understood that they were in no wise identified with either party, and they disclaim any newspaper plausibility calculated to mislead the public. They cele- brated on "Cork Island" which has always been viewed as neutral ground. An invitation was given to all the reputable females within the precincts of the corporation, rich and poor. Indeed their primary object was to discountenance invidious distinctions in the celebration of public festivals.
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