USA > New York > Monroe County > Rochester > Early history of Rochester. 1810 to 1827, with comparisons of its growth and progress to 1860 > Part 3
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None, except the chief engineer, trustees and fire-wardens, may give orders at fires .- Fine, $5.
Firemen, must instantly, on an alarm, repair to the engine to which they belong, and aid in mov- ing it to the fire, and in working it there; unless prevented by absence from the village, or sick- ness .- Fine, for neglect of this duty, $10.
Hook and ladder men, subject to the same rule, in the proper department .- Fine, $10.
No person may discharge fire arms, nor rock- ets, nor squibs, nor any ffre works, within the village .- Fine, $5.
No person may burn shavings, chips, or straw, nor kindle any large fire, in the streets, within fifty feet of any building .- Fine, $5.
All bell-ringers are bound to ring, on an alarm of fire .- Fine, $5.
Publick bathing is not permitted in any waters within the village. - Fine, $2.
Vaults to necessaries, must be of such depth and so constructed, as is provided in the ordi- nance relating to them. - Fine, for neglect, $25.
Necessaries must not be so situated as to be a nuisance to neighbours .- Fine, $25. They must be purified with lime, once in each month, during the summer half year, as directed in the ordi- nance .- Fine, for neglect, $5.
Every house must be furnished with a sink- drain, covered with earth .- Fine, for neglect, per week, $2.
No stagnant water is allowed on any lot .- Fine, to occupant or owner, as the case may be, per day, $2.
No person is allowed to throw any dead animal, putrid meat, or fish, into any river, canal, mill- race, basin, or aqueduct, within the village .- Fine, $5.
Cellars must be kept free from all stagnant wa- ter, putrid vegetable or animal matter .- Fine, for each offence, $5.
Hogs are not permitted to run at large .- Fine, 50 cts. They are not to be kept so as to be offen- sive to neighbors .- Fine, per day, $2.
No horse, mare, or colt, permitted to run at large .- Fine, to the owner, $2.
Swine, running at large, may be impounded, and the claimant subjected to the expenses, as per ordinance ..
Neat cattle are not permitted to run at large, after the first day of December, till the first day of April .- Fine, $1.
No nine-pine alley to be kept .- Fine, per day, $5.
Grocers, for selling liquors or serving customers on the Sabbath day, or permitting any collection of people or noise at their groceries-Fine, $10.
Masters of canal boats, for suffering any horn or bugle to be blown within the village, on the Sabbath-Fine, $2.
Theatrical representations are restrained by or- dinance. Fines, for transgressing that ordinance -a principal or manager, $25-any actor, for each offence, $5-owner of premises where they so trespass, each offence, $5.
Circus riders prohibited in like manner .- Fine, to principal, $25-each rider, $10.
Shows of all kinds prohibited, unless special li- cense be obtained .- Fine, $10. Owners of prem- ises where this ordinance is violated-Fine, $5.
No cellar doors may project more than four feet from the front line of the building .- Fine, $10-and for every day the same remains, con- trary to this ordinance, $1.
Cellars used for groceries, and such purposes, must have an iron railing on each side of the en- trance, extending four feet from the line of the
building; all others must be covered with a door. -Fine, for every day the ordinance is transgress- ed, in each case, $1.
No outside stairs to upper stories, or projecting platforms, are permitted .- Fine, for erecting such, $5-and for continuing the same, per day, $1.
No lamp or other posts may be erected, except at the edge of the side walk, or by special liberty from the trustees .- Fine, $2-and for each day the transgression is continued, $1. Posts, in all cases, must be not less than nine feet high, from the surface of the side-walk, to the bottom of any lamp, sign, &c. placed thereon .- Fine, per day, $1.
All licensed grocers must have a sign to that effect near their door .- Fine, per day, $1.
Common criers must have a license, and not use horns or trumpets, but only a hand-bell .- Fine, for each offence, $1.
Owners of inhabited lots, residing in the vil- lage, and occupants, when the owners are notres- idents, are responsible for not having proper ne- cessaries, to prevent nuisances-and in case of nuisance, are fineable per day, $5.
All who slaughter cattle are, in like manner, in case of nuisance to those residing in the neigh- bourhood, liable to a fine, per day, while it con- tinues, of $5.
Wagons, containing articles for sale, must not be placed across any street, nor so near the side- walks as to prevent others passing ; nor may any stop in the square formed by the intersection of Carroll and Exchange-streets with Buffalo-street ; and if loaded with hay, they must stand west of the court-house yard in Buffalo-street, and east of River-street, in Main-street .- Fine, for each trans- gression of either of these ordinances, $1.
The keeping of billiard-tables for gaming is prohibited .- Fine, $5. Tavern-keepers and grocers keeping billiard-tables-Fine, per day, $5.
The following are the present officers of the corporation :
TRUSTEES .- First Ward, William Brewster. Second Ward, Matthew Brown, Jr. Third Ward, Vincent Mathews.
Fourth Ward, Elisha Ely. Fifth Ward, Giles Boulton.
ASSESSORS .- First Ward, Preston Smith.
Second Ward, Ezra M. Parsons. Third Ward, Ira West. Fourth Ward, Daniel Tinker. Fifth Ward, Davis C. West.
Matthew Brown, Jr. Pres. of the Board of Trus- tees.
Rufus Beach, Clerk and Attorney.
Frederick F. Backus, Treasurer.
Raphael Beach, Collector and Constable.
Stephen Symonds, Constable.
M. Willson, Weigher of Huy.
Regular meetings of the Corporation, every Tuesday, at 3 o'clock, P. M. at the office of the clerk, in the Court-House.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
Samuel Works, Chief Engineer. FIRE WARDENS.
First Ward-S. Melancton Smith, John Mar- chant.
Second Ward-Benjamin H. Brown, Timothy Burr.
Third Ward-Edwin Stanley, Walter White.
Fourth Ward-A. B. Curtis, John Histed.
Fifth Wurd-Samuel Smith, Aarou Newton. ENGINE COMPANY, NO. 1.
Daniel D. Hlatch, Foreman.
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John Swift, Assissant. William Haywood, Secretary.
ENGINE COMPANY, NO. 2.
Davis C. West, Foreman. Stephen Charles, Assistant.
Giles Boulton, Secretary.
HOOK AND LADDER COMPANY.
Isaiah Tower, Jr. Foreman. Phelps Smith, Assistant. C. A. Van Slyck, Secretary.
Stated meetings of the several fire companies, on the first Monday in each month.
II .- RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES.
Year
Tittle, or of Place of
Denomination. organ- worship.
ization.
Present Clergymen.
First Presby'n .... 1815 Court-square. Rev. Jos. Penney Episcopal. .1817 Fitzhugh-st.
Friends, or Quak-
ers. .1817 Hughes-street. Court-House. Platt-street.
Rev. O. C. Comstock (Vacant.)
River-street. Elder J. Dempster.
Hart-street. Elder Orren Miller Elder S Silsby
Frankfort-sqr. Carroll-street. Rev. Wm. James
Clinton street. Rev. Geo. Parker
III .- BENEVOLENT SOCIETIES.
THE FEMALE CHARITABLE SOCIETY.
Was organized 26th February, 1822 .- The fol- lowing is an extract from the CONSTITUTION :
"ART. 1. The primary objects of this society shall be, the relief of indigent persons and fam- ilies, in cases of sickness and distress, and the establishment of a Charity School.
" ART. 3. It shall be the duty of the directors, to direct the application of all the means of the society-to solicit contributions in money, goods, provisions, clothing, bedding, &c., and to obtain subscribers.
ART. 5 .- All articles of clothing, bedding, &c. belonging to the society shall be loaned, (not given, ) and it shall be the duty of the committee to see that they are returned."
This society has been in successful operation for five years, during most of which period, a school has been kept, in which forty children are educated gratuitously. The school, which is now flourishing, is under the charge of Mrs. Saddler, whose fidelity has met the unqualified spproba- tion of the society.
In many cases, relief and assistance have been afforded to sick and distressed families, by the loan of clothing, bedding, &c. of which the society have always a supply on hand. The funds are raised from the annual subscription of the mem- bers, and an annual collection taken up when a sermon is preached for the benefit of this charity. The present number of members is 143.
The society has a school-house, erected on a lot which was given by William Fitzhugh, situated on Franklin-street.
Officers elected, February 6, 1827 :--
Mrs. J. K. Livingston, President.
Mrs. Mary Scovill, V. President.
Mrs. Samson,
Mrs. Burr,
. Mrs. Plumb,
Directors.
Mrs. Bissell, | Mrs. A. Allcott, Mrs. Cuming, Mrs. Beach,
Mrs. Whittlesey, Treasurer.
Miss Ewing and Miss Stone, Superintendents of the School.
Annual meeting first Tuesday in February. 2
MONROE COUNTY BIBLE SOCIETY.
Auxiliary to the American Bible Society, was formed May 30, 1821. The sole object of this in- stitution is the circulation of the Holy Scriptures, without note or comment. Surplus funds paid to the parent society.
Life membership, $10-annual membership, $1.
The society have purchased, of the American Bible Society, 1470 Bibles, and 1205 Testaments, and have received, as donations-in 1821, 100 Bi- bles and 100 Testaments-in 1825, 150 Bibles and 250 Testaments ; in all, 1720 Bibles, and 1555 Tes- taments.
In addition to paying for the Bibles purchased, they have refunded the amount of the donation in 1825, and have remitted fifty dollars, as surplus funds, to the parent society.
Officers of the society :
Vincent Mathews, President.
Wm. Atkinson, ! Vice Presidents.
F. F. Backus,
Enos Pomeroy, Corresponding Secretary.
Wm. Pitkin, Recording Secretary.
Levi Ward, Jr. Treasurer.
Treasurer's office, and depository of Bibles and Testaments, in the counting-room of Wm. H. Ward & Co. Carroll-street. Annual meeting, first Tuesday in June.
MONROE COUNTY MISSIONARY SOCIETY,
Was formed July 11, 1826 .- Extracts from the Constitution :-
"ART. 1. This society shall be known by the name of the Home Missionary Society of Monroe County, auxiliary to the American Home Mission- ary Society.
"ART. 4. The funds of this society, after paying incidental expenses, shall be paid over to the treasurer of the parent institution, with directions as to the section of country in which it shall be expended in missionary labours, should the board deem it expedient to give such directions.
ART. 6. The society shall meet as often as called by the directors, and annually, ou the second Monday in April, when the officers shall be cho- sen, and a report of the directors received, and when the constitution may be amended, by a vote of two thirds of the members present."
Officers elected July, 1826 :-
Ira West, of Rochester, President.
Rev. J. Penney, do.' 1st V. Pres't. Charles Church, of Ogden, 2d V. Pres't. Charles J. Hill, of Rochester, Treasurer. Everard Peck, do. Secretary.
The society has several missionaries, iu differ- ent parts of the country, towards whose support, from fifty to one hundred dollars a year are con- tributed by the society.
FEMALE MISSIONARY SOCIETY,
Auxiliary to the American Home Missionary Soci- ety, was organized in January, 1818. Its object is to assist iu supporting the preaching of the gos- pel in feeble and destitute churches in the settle- ments. Officers for 1827-
Mrs. Patty Beach, President.
Mrs. Margaret Penney, Secretary.
Mrs. Henrietta Bissell, Treasurer.
Annual meeting, ou the first Tuesday in Janu- ary.
FEMALE BENEVOLENT AND AUXILIARY MISSIONARY SOCIETY OF ST. LUKE'S CHURCH, ROCHESTER.
Organized February 23, 1827 .- The object of the society is, to raise funds in aid of plans and socie- ties formed for the purpose of promoting the in-
-
Mrs. Colman, Mrs. Parker,
Rev. F. H. Cuming
Baptist. .1818 Roman Catholick 1820 Methodist Epis'1. 1820
Methodist Soc'y. 1822 Christ-ian ........ 1823 Sec'd Presbyt'n .. 1826 Third Presbyt'n. . 1827
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terests of religion, as connected with the Protes- tant Episcopal Church; special reference being had to the claims of the "General Missionary So- ciety of the Episcopal Church," and the "Monroe County Episcopal Association for disseminating religious knowledge."
The society consists at present of 120 members. Officers for 1827 : Mrs. Elisha Johnson, President. Mrs. H. Montgomery, Vice President. Mrs. Wm. Pitkin, Secretary.
Mrs. T. H. Rochester, Treasurer.
MONROE COUNTY EPISCOPAL ASSOCIATION. Organized February, 1827.
The objects of the society are, the supply of va- cant places within the country with the services of the Episcocpal church-assisting in the estab- lishment and support of new congregations, and the formation of Sunday schools.
[The officers had not been chosen, when these pages were put to press.]
MONROE COUNTY TRACT SOCIETY.
This institution was organized in 1823. Its op- erations were considerably extensive in distribut- ing tracts in this region of the country. In Octo- ber, 1826, they were called upon hy an agent of the American Tract Society, with such proposi- tions as induced them to merge this society in the Rochester Tract Society, auxiliary to the American Tract Society. The following is extracted from the first article of the constitution : "The object of this society is to aid the American Tract Socie- ty, instituted at New York in 1825, in extending its operations in destitute parts of the United States." One hundred dollars was subscribed and forward- ed to the parent Society in New York, to furnish the depository. The following are the officers of the society for the present year :
Josiah Bissell, Jr. President.
William Atkinson, John Watts, Vice Presidents.
Willis Kempshall,
Everard Peck, Secretary. Levi A. Ward, Treasurer.
Treasurer's office, and depository of Tracts, in Wm. H. Ward & Co's counting-room, Carroll- street.
SUNDAY SCHOOLS.
Most if not all the religious societies in the village support one or more sabbath schools, and these are generally connected with a county sab- bath school union. A general depository of suit- able books is kept for sale at the counting-room of C. Dunning & Co. in Carroll-street. An interest- ing anniversary meeting is held in Rochester in the month of October in each year.
IV .- LITERARY AND OTHER INSTITU- TIONS.
The extreme occupation and multiplicity of ur- gent publick objects, has hitherto prevented the citizens of Rochester from making those efforts in the cause of literature and education, which their importance demands. There is as yet no publick library of general literature, nor publick seminary of education. Measures are in operation, howev- er, for prosecuting both of these objects, which it is hoped the present year will see in a good state of advancement. The private and district schools in the village, are about 20 in number, in which 1150 children and youth are instructed in all the branches of a common and classical education.
FRANKLIN INSTITUTE.
This institution was organized October 13, 1826. The general purposes of it may be ascertained by the following extract from the constitution of the society.
"The objects which the Franklin Institute shall have especially in view, shall be the establishment of a library for the use of the members, consist- ing of books on the arts, sciences and manufac- tures; a museum of models of machines; a cabi- net of mineralogy, geology, and chemical sub- stances, scientifically arranged; lectures and apparatus for illustrating the sciences connected with the mechanical arts, and mutual instructions in elementary sciences, as far as practicable."
This institution is formed upon similar princi- ples with several others now in successful opera- tion in our own country, and in G. Britian; origi- nating in the belief that " the condition and pros- pects of our village, mark it out as especially de- manding of its citizens their zealous efforts in es- tablishing and maintaining institutions toimprove the arts by the aid of science, and to adorn and benefit that part of community employed in pro- ductive industry, with the advantages and pleas- ures of mental cultivation."
In pursuance of these objects, the society, con- sisting of about seventy members, have already obtained a small cabinet of minerals, a library, and several models of machines; and have com- menced a system of cultivating knowledge in the arts and sciences by lectures, experiments, and such examinations and inquiries as the means of the Institute admit.
The affairs of the Institute are conducted by a committee of seven, who are chosen annually. The present committee are, Rev. Jsseph Penney, Rev. F. II. Cuming, Levi Ward, Jr. Elisha Johnson, Jacob Graves, Giles Boulton, and Edwin Stanley.
The society occupy No. 6, in Johnson's building, corner of Main and Canal streets, which is open to subscribers every day in the week, (Sundays excepted,) from 9 A. M. to 12 M. ; aud from 2 to 9 P. M. Stated meeting-Friday evenings of each week.
Terms of admission to membership, $5, subject to an annual tax of $2.
MASONICK.
Wells Lodge, No. 282, of Master Masons, was in- stalled in 1817. Its present officers are-
Robert Martin, W. M. | Charles C. Lathrop, J. W. Phelps Smith, S. W. Ebenezer Watts, Treas.
Bill Cobly, Sec'ry.
Regular communications, Tuesday of or preced- ing full moon in every month.
Hamilton R. A. Chapter, was installed March, 1819.
Officers for 1827-
Jacob Gould, H. P. Ebenezer Watts, S.
Robert Martin, K'. S. P. Allcot, Treas.
Bill Colby, Sec'ry.
Regular convocations, Wednesday of or prece- ding full moon in each month.
A Knights Templar's encampment was installed August, 1826, and was admitted into the general grand encampment, September, 1826.
Rev F. H. Cumings, G. C. Simeon P. Alcott, S. W. Ebenezer Watts, J. W. Jonathan Child, G.
Abelard Reynolds, C. G. Jacob Gould, P.
Edward Doyle, Treas.
H. C. Williams, Rec.
Regular meetings, Monday of or preceding new moon in each month.
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NEWSPAPERS, &c.
There are at present published in the village, four political and miscellaneous newspapers, one religious newspaper, and a Christ-ian monthly magazine, viz :
The Monroe Republican, weekly, established 1816. The Rochester Telegraph, semi-weekly " 1818.
The Album, weekly, 1825.
Rochester Daily Advertiser, daily, 1826.
Rochester Observer, semi-monthly, 1827. Gospel Luminary, monthly, 1824. The Rochester Telegraph is also published week- ly, for the country.
The Rochester Mercury is also issued from the office of the Daily Advertiser, once a week, for the country.
There are received at the post-office, about 26 daily, 284 semi-weekly, and 690 weekly newspa- pers.
POST-OFFICE.
The post-office was established in the village in the year 1812. The receipts of the first quarter amounted to $3 42. The receipts for the last quarter of 1826, were, $1718 44.
The arrival and departure of mails, are at pres- ent as follows, viz :
The Eastern and Western Mails -- arrive and de- part every day.
To and from Palmyra-seven mails a week in summer, and three in winter.
To and from Penfield-six mails a week.
To and from Scottsville-seven mails a week in summer, and three in winter.
To and from Oswego-one mail a week.
To and from Batavia-three mails a week.
To and from Geneseo, &c .- three mails a week. Abelard Reynolds, Post-Master.
Office in Buffalo-street, near Carroll-street.
BANK OF ROCHESTER.
Incorporated in 1824 .- Capital 250,000 dollars. ยท Elisha B. Strong, President.
A. M. Schemerhorn, Cushier. Elisha B. Strong, Levi Ward, Jr.
M. Brown, Jr.
Jonathan Child,
Directors.
A. V. T. Leavitt,
James Seymour,
William Pitkin,
W. W. Mumford,
John T. Talman, Teller and Notary. Henry Roser, Discount Clerk. Levi Burnell, Book-Keeper.
Days of Discount, Tuesdays and Fridays, at 11 o'clock.
Hours of business, from 10 A. M to 2 P. M.
POPULATION.
The following tabular view will show the in- crease of population, from the year 1815, when the first census was taken, to December, 1826 :
Year. Population.
First census, December, 1815, 331
Second,
Sept. 1818, 1,049
Third, (U. S.) August, 1820, 1,502
Fourth, Sept.
1822, . 2,700
Fifth, February, 1825, - 4,274
Sixth, (State,) August, 1825, . 5,273
Seventh, December, 1826, 7,669
The population is composed chiefly of emigrants from New-England, and other states of the Union, together with a considerable number from Eng- land, Ireland, Scotland, and Germany, and a few natives of Canada, Norway and Switzerland.
It is a remarkable FACT, that, in a population of nearly 8,000, not one adult person is a native of the village !
The oldest person now living in the village who was born here, is not yet 17 years of age.
These inhabitants, almost without exception, are employed either in professional or productive in- dustry. The following may be considered as near- ly a correct statement of the
PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS.
7 Clergymen,
124 Shoema- kers,
17 Coachmakers.
67 Blacksmiths,
14 Gunsmiths,
10 Chairmkers,
89 Clerks,
84 Grocers,
33 Butchers,
48 Tailors,
24 Wheel-
wrights,
23 Tinners,
16 Goldsmiths,
21 Saddlers,
29 Tanners,
8 Bookbinders ,
8 Tallow-
chandlers,
ers,
14 Bakers,
STATISTICKS.
I .- TRADE AND COMMERCE.
The superfluous productions of the extensive and fertile valley of the Genesee river, together with that of the surrounding country east and west, naturally concentrate at Rochester, and are exported from thence. While these exports passed through the port of Genesee to the Canada mar- ket, the amount was more accurately known, than since the opening of the canal; the amount of tonnage being now more the object of reckoning at the several places of entry, than a specifick ac- count of the particular kinds.
From the best data at hand, we have collected the following account of the exports by the canal, in the years 1823 and 1826. A few of the leading articles only are here presented.
Articles. 1823. 1826.
Flour, barrels, 64,114 202,000
Wheat, bushels, 20,590
Pork,
barrels, 1,250 7,000
Beef, do. 528 750
Pot and pearl shes, do. 9,500
Whiskey, gallons, 52,903 135,000
As imports, might be enumerated almost every article within the limits of merchandise-the de- mand of the surrounding country both for the necessary and the luxurious being already very large, and yearly increasing, as the soil becomes subdued, and the consumer's means more exten- sive. A very considerable wholesale trade begins to open both with the remote parts of our own country, and the Canada shore.
The retail trade for the place, will principally appear from the following list :
42 Merchant stores, 4 Hat
stores,
5 Hardware do. 5 Goldsmith do.
5 Druggist do.
7 Millinery do.
3 Book & stat'y do.
1 Looking-glass do.
14 Boot & shoe do.
4 Clothing do.
1 Military goods store.
LUMBER.
. The trade in lumber is very considerable. Great quantities of pine boards are annually brought here from the country bordering on Genesee river, which are principally used in the village and neighbourhood. Some of the pine lumber, however, is sent to the Albany and New- York markets. There have also been large quan- tities of square timber and oak plank, for ship- building, sent by way of the canal to New-York. It has been in demand, and commanded a good
25 Physicians,
28 Lawyers,
20 Hatters,
73 Coopers,
23 Clothiers,
95 Masons,
25 Cabinet-mkrs,
21 Millw'ts,
5 Combmakers, 26 Painters,
304 Carpenters & Joiners,
16 Inn-keepers,
423 Labour-
31 Printers,
Abelard Reynolds, Chas. H. Carrroll, j
( Fred'k Bushnell, Ira West, S. P. Allcott,
74 Merchants
20 Millers,
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price; but so great are the expenses of transpor- tation and canal tolls, that it has of late proved an unprofitable business. The quality of the white oak timber is said to be inferior to none of the kind in the United States.
FREIGHT BOATS.
The following list exhibits the number of boats and horses belonging to the several regular lines of freight boats, the owners and principal agents of which reside in the village. Besides those enumerated, there are a number of boats owned here, that ply regularly on the canal, which are not attached to any line of forwarders.
Line. Boats.
Horses.
Pilot,
34
181
Washington, 32
170
Merchants'
30
172
Troy and Erie,
23
161
Hudson and Erie,
21
115
Union,
20
83
160
882
The boats generally run from Troy and Albany to Buffalo, two of each line leaving this place ev- ery day, Sundays excepted. Although they are designed principally for the transportation of freight, most of them have comfortable accommo- dations for passengers-which they are enabled to carry at a less rate of fare than boats which are employed only as packets, owing partly to the difference in transit duties charged by the canal commissioners on freight and packet boats.
The usual rates of transportation of flour, from this place to the Hudson river, in the spring and fall, is one dollar per barrel, and during summer, 8712 cents.
Merchandise, from Troy and Albany, is charged 68 cents per cwt.
Passengers are charged one and a half cents a mile, exclusive of board, which is an extra charge of about fifty cents a day.
The boats generally run day and night, and about sixty miles in twenty hours.
II .- MANUFACTURERS. FLOURING MILLS.
There are at present, seven merchant mills for manufacturing flour, within the precincts of this village, or its immediate vicinity ; having in all 24 run of stones. Arrangements are also made for erecting two others, with twelve run of stones, during the ensuing summer.
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