USA > New York > Tompkins County > Ithaca > Early history of Ithaca, N.Y. > Part 2
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There was a post-office established here in 1804, and Rich- ard W. Pelton was the first post-master.
As early as 1810, Ithaca was regarded as one of the most thriving and promising villages of the interior. In a letter, dated "Albany, February 18, 1810," from which I have been permitted to make an extract, Mr. Simeon De Witt speaks of it as follows :
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" The place to which I purpose to go, when I have no bu- siness here, is a village of at least thirty houses ; and fronts a plain of the richest lowlands. If I should live twenty years longer, I am confident that I should see Ithaca as important a place as Utica is now. Its advantages and situation can- not fail of giving it a rapid growth, and making it one of the first inland places of trade: There is now no place of its size in the country, where there is such a stir of business. The principal inn-a considerable two story house-besides anotli- er respectable tavern, was found quite insufficient for the bu- siness. When Col. Varick and I arrived there, breakfast had been served for thirty people before we got ours. The land- lord-a very respectable man-has last season built a large three story house for a tavern .* 1 mention these things to show that what I have contemplated for my future residence, is not a dreary, solitary country situation."
And in another letter, dated " Ithaca, 9th May, 1810," he says :
* This was the present Ithaca Hotel.
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" I find this village considerably increased since I was here before. I have counted thirty-eight dwelling houses, among which are-one very large, elegant, three story house for a hotel, and five of two stories ; the rest of one story,-all gen- erally neat frame buildings. Besides these, there are a school house, and buildings for merchants' stores, and shops for carpenters, cabinet-makers, blacksmiths, coopers, tanners ; and we have besides, shoe-makers, tailors, two lawyers, one doctor, watch-cleaner, turner, miller, hatters, &c. &c." .
And now, Ithaca having attained that point, when it pos- sessed all of the characteristics and component parts of a thriving village, it is proper to inquire into the character of its society, and its moral condition. Among the early inhab- itants, were many men of talent, and more than ordinary ca- pacity. But almost of necessity, the first settlers of a new country, are more or less rude and unrefined in their habit's ' and manners; and many acts are excusable among them, which could not be tolerated in larger communities. A fre- quent reason, is the absence of female society, and a univer- sal one, is the want of those sources and means of enjoyment, which a more dense population and more extended associa- tion, affords. Men will have their pastimes and enjoyments of one description or another. Then, too, new society is composed of a large proportion of young men ; whom an en- terprising spirit and buoyant hope, has led to adventure for the smiles of fortune. Not impelled by family cares and du- ties, nor attracted by the charms of domestic happiness, they seek relaxation and pleasure in pastimes, which the more staid and sober perhaps too severely condemn.
I have been told, that in 1809, there were but two or three marriageable young ladies in Ithaca ; whilst there were forty young men. If it was thought proper and desirable to have a ball, or a pleasure party of any description, the country was scoured for miles around, and requisition was made upon the
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neighboring settlements, to afford the necessary number of ladies.
Then again, although they had their ministerial and peace officers, yet there were many peccadillos and annoyances-as in fact they exist in every community-which legal process could not reach, and which were not restrained and suppress- ed by the mere moral force of public sentiment.
These circumstances and considerations operating and moving thereto, there was formed at a very early period, what was called "The Moral Society." It assumed the right to correct and improve the morals, and to punish the vices and misdeeds, of the general society within its jurisdic- tion. If a man became too drunken ; if one was a meddler in the affairs of others ; if a person was dishonest, or mean, or if he did not understand the habits and customs of civilized life, as well as in the judgment of members of this society he ought to ; if one was a coward, or a bully, or a boaster ; or if some vagrant attempted to exhibit a puppet-show, or to as- tonish the people by feats of legerdemain ; or if one offered to introduce the game of thimble-rig, or to extract money from others by means of a sweatcloth and dice ; or to do any other act or thing not recognized and authorized by the so- ciety; he was sure, either to find himself suddenly placed un- der a crate, where he was drenched with water to the entire satisfaction of those who administered it, or, mysteriously entangled in a rope and dragged to the creek, was soused again and again ; or was frightened into a race through the .. | wild plum and hazel bushes, which were standing thickly and almost impenetrable, close by ; or was obliged to run the gauntlet of men on either side, who struck him, or discharged fire-arms near him, as he passed ; or having had a regular trial before the society, and having been convicted, and sen- tenced to receive some unheard of punishment, fled to escape its execution. These cases arose frequently ; but if they did not occur sufficiently often, the members were at no loss or .
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hesitation in raising feigned issues, so that they might not be- come rusty for want of practice.
This society continued in existence for fifteen or twenty years ; and its acts are so intimately connected with the ear- ly history of the village, as it has been related to me, that I could not well avoid making this mention of it." But the population increasing steadily and rapidly, and new and bet- ter influences being introduced, taste becoming more eleva- ted and refined, and the sense of justice more rational- and proper, it gradually became less and less popular, until final- ly it dissolved.
As early as in 1806, about three hundred dollars' worth of books were purchased, and made to constitute a public libra- ry. But slender, if any additions, however, were ever made to it. Some years afterwards, it became the property of the " Ithaca Lyceum," and still subsequently, of the " Minerva Society," which was connected with the Ithaca Academy. About twelve years ago, this society ceased to exist, and there was a division of the books among the members ; or rather some of the members took whatever books they could lay their hands upon.
The Ithaca Academy was incorporated in March, 1823.
The first printing press put in operation here, was started in 1814 or 1815, by Mr. Jonathan Ingersoll. It afterwards came into the hands of Mr. Ebenezer Mack, who established the " Ithaca Journal" in 1818. The " Republican Chroni- cle," was established in 1820, by Spencer and Stockton, and was succeeded by the " Ithaca Chronicle."
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The first religious society was of the Presbyterian denom- ination, and was organized in 1804 or 1805, with seven
* There also existed, for a time, another organization, which, from the disorder- ly and indiscriminate conduct of its members, acquired the name of the " Chaotic Society." But it never attained the eminence and distinction of the more digni- fied and discreet " Moral Society."
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members. The church building was erected in 1817. Un- til 1816, the society had worshipped in a school-house which stood near the location of the present Academy, From some misunderstanding or discontent on the part of a portion of the citizens, it was then torn down, and until their church was completed, the society discharged their religious services in a barn. In 1816, the Rev. Wm. Wisner became the Pas- tor of this church ; and it is but justice to that able man to say, that a moral and religious improvement, dates from the period when he commenced his labors here.
The Methodist Episcopal Church was erected in 1819; the Episcopal Church in 1824; the Baptist Church in 1829-30; and the Reformed Dutch Church in 1830-31.
When the first inhabitants came here, this locality was in Onondaga county ; afterwards it was in Cayuga and Seneca counties respectively, and it was not until 1817, that Tomp- kins county was set off. Until 1821, it was in the town of Ulysses, then the town of Ithaca was formed, and the village . of Ithaca was incorporated in the same year.
The Ithaca and Owego Turnpike was constructed about the year 1808 ; the Geneva, about 1811.
A branch of Newburgh Bank was established here in 1819, with a capital of $70,000. It was afterwards merged in the Bank of Ithaca, which was incorporated in 1829. The Tompkins County Bank was incorporated in 1836.
A brief allusion to some of the causes of the growth and advancement of this village. to its present condition :
Ithaca was ever a stirring, business place, and never sup- ported an idle and loitering population. Situated in a fertile section of country, and possessing natural advantages for communication with the eastern markets, at an early day it promised the realization and result which we now behold. It received an important impulse during the last war with England. Commerce being interrupted, the supply of plas- ter or gypsum, which had been furnished principally from
Albertson Public Library ORLANDO, FLORIDA
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Nova Scotia, was cut off, This brought into requisition the Cayuga plaster ; and it is stated, that as many as eight hun- dred teams have passed over the Ithaca and Owego road with it, in a single day. But what more than anything else, contributed to and secured the advancement and importance of this village, was the construction of the Erie Canal ; be- gun in 1817 and completed in 1825. It gave it direct and easy communication with the cities upon the Atlantic sea- board, and with the best markets that the whole country af- forded. Hitherto, products which went to New York, or merchandize which came from there, were either transported by land carriage to or from Catskill, or else found their devi- ous way, by means of the North River between New York and Albany, by land carriage between Albany and Schenec- tady, by the Mohawk river between Schenectady and Rome, passing through the canal at Little Falls, by Wood Creck, the Oneida lake and Onondaga river between Rome and Three River Point, by Seneca river, and Cayuga lake and inlet between Three River Point and Ithaca. The boats which navigated the waters between Ithaca and Schenecta- dy, were small, and were propelled a great portion of the way with poles. The time occupied in making a trip, going and returning, was usually about six weeks.
But New York was not then as it is now, the sole market to which this section of country sent its products. Cattle were driven to Philadelphia, potash was sent either to New York or Montreal, and wheat was carried to Owego, and down the Susquehanna to Baltimore.
The trade of this village has ever been conducted upon a credit basis.
It is nearly fifty-eight years since the first inhabitants came in here. Then there were three families in the solitude of an extensive wilderness. Now there is a village with a popula- tion exceeding four thousand-situated in the midst of a high- ly cultivated and productive country.
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You will pardon me if I occupy your time a little longer, in rendering a tribute of respect to the memory of a distin- guished man-SIMEON DE WITT.
In 1778, he was appointed assistant Geographer in the ar- my of the Revolution; and in 1780, on the death of Robert Erskine, Esq., was appointed chief Geographer. In 1796 General Washington proffered to him the office of Surveyor General to the United States, which, " from the force of cir- cumstances," he declined. In 1784, he was appointed Sur- veyor General of this State, succeeding therein General Philip Schuyler ; and in 1798 became Regent of the Univer- sity. Both of these offices he held to the time of his death, in December, 1384, through all the political revolutions and changes that occurred. In 1829, he was chosen Chancellor of the University, and he was also for several years canal commissioner.' The duties of every office that he held, were discharged faithfully and ably. These facts have made him known to the country, and have given celebrity to his name.
In private intercourse he was affable and amiable, just in all his dealings, and beloved in all his associations. One who knew him well, has said, that he was " a scholar, a patriot, and a christian." His relation to this village gives us right to claim more than a general. distinction through him. He I was founder, sponsor and friend of Ithaca. He died here, and the place where his body reposes, is known to all of us. True, no monument of marble marks that spot; but he has monument and memorial, in the flourishing and beautiful village that his grave overlooks, and it will testify of him, when you and 1 and generations yet unborn, shall have passed away.
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