USA > New York > Cortland County > Virgil > Festal gathering of the early settlers! and present inhabitants of the town of Virgil, Cortland County, N.Y., 1853 > Part 12
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NUMBER XXXIV.
P REVIOUS to 1871, there were erected many neat and com- modious residences throughout our Town; but it was re- marked that building in the village had nearly ceased. Only the house of Mrs. Jenkins, of moderate dimensions, had been built for several years, and many in the village had become very innocent of paint, and it was a rather common impression that it had about ar- rived at its zenith. So much had been said respecting the imprac- tibility of building up the village, that a kind of depression was on the minds of most of the people, and it was yielded to as a fact, that this place must submit to be eclipsed by surrounding villages and . towns. The church edifice, like the other structures, gave outward indications of decay. This state of things affected a few minds very deeply, and a resolution was formed that an effort should be made to change the aspect. Perhaps no building presented a more gloomy appearance than did the Presbyterian Church. Amid many dis- couragements and prophecies of failure, it was undertaken, and in a short time it was apparent that success would attend the exertions of those engaged in this enterprise. Seldom has the progress of any work towards completion been looked upon with more wonder and surprise. It was foretold that this effort would be a failure, or that those assuming responsibility would involve themselves so deep- ly that it would be difficult to extricate themselves. However, what was embraced in the original plan was accomplished, and the build- ing was dedicated to the worship of the Sacred Three in the fore- part of January, 1872. The remark that there had come a depres- sion over the minds of the people about building and repairing, had reference only to the village. Other parts of the Town proceeded as usual, and houses and barns were erected, as the pleasure or need
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of the people suggested. In the same season of 1871, several build- ings were erected in different parts, some of which were of noble di- mensions. Of these a description has been given up to August, 1874, embracing the Baptist Church. Since that time the M. E. · Church edifice has been erected, with its stately proportions, costing $7,000 or more, of which a circumstantial account was given for the press, by Rev. J. W. Steele, and published soon after its completion, in the winter of 1875-'76. .
David R. Price built a new house, reported to be well planned and furnished with exquisite skill and workmanship. Its cost has been estimated at from three to four thousand dollars. Isaac B. Bloomer and John Bays, on the State road, each did such thorough work in repairing their houses that they became essentially new, and are very neat and commodious, and an honor to the vicinity as well as to the owners and builders. J. B. Rounds built a barn seventy feet in length and thirty in width, with stone work three feet high for the foundation. The posts are sixteen feet.
People in the village began to think " that some things could be done as well as others," and commenced on repairs. The residence near the church referred to above, of M. L. Sheerar, was thoroughly renovated and presents a fine appearance. John M. Frank soon afterwards commenced to improve the appearance of his house, and exhibits his perseverance by continuing to paint and add to the orig- inal structure; and when the whole shall be finished it will doubt- less add much to the appearance of that locality. Charles Williams built a very respectable village residence two years since, which we regret to say was destroyed by fire about a year afterwards. Other houses were built in the region around, among which is one of very respectable appearance by Edwin Branch, in the west part of the Town, and one in the east part by John Shevalier, very highly spoken of as being of noble dimensions and superior finish and appearance. But the enthusiasm for building was thoroughly awak- ened in the village, and the year 1873 will be long remembered as that in which many elegant structures were reared.
As the battle of Bunker Hill was the leading engagement of the Revolution, so the elevation in our village, known by that name, was the scene of preparation by the removal of the building of noble dimensions, erected there by General Knapp, in 1804. It was
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set in the north part of the village and is used by E. Crain as a ware-room for his business of wagon and carriage making. It was 30x40 feet, and two stories high, and a wonder to the natives in the early days in which it was built. This removal prepared the way for the erection of the splendid residence of Dr. Muncey. This building is forty-one feet front and thirty-five feet deep, twenty feet high ; lower story, ten feet high, finished with hard wood with ex- quisite workmanship. The doors are cherry and ash alternate. Kitchen done off for convenience ; . pantry, and closets for wardrobe, etc., finished with chestnut and cherry. A convenient number of windows-glass, 14x30 inches,-one bay-window finished with cher- ry and ash ; stairs, cherry and ash alternate, with white oak railing ; parlor, finished with cherry, ash, and butternut, with exquisite moulding; cellar, 21x23 feet; building and stoop, covered with tin roof ; cost, about $4,000. W. A. Holton built a mammoth store on the lot made vacant by the removal of the store-house previously occupied by B. J. Jones. This store-house was removed by R. E. Holton about one-half mile, and changed into a very respectable residence. The new store of W. A. Holton is seventy feet in length, twenty in width, and twenty-five feet posts ; cellar, under the whole ; cistern, with capacity of five hundred barrels of water, with force pump on the outside and also in the inside; tin roof; store-room, 42x50 feet, completely finished, with show-cases, stools, chairs, chandelier, and everything for convenience in a country store ; up- per story, finished in rooms with convenience and taste; a very convenient room below for courts or for meeting of Town board or similar meetings; tin roof; the whole cost estimated at $4,000. The Baptist church has been noticed in a previous number. F. T. Hovey built a residence of fine appearance on his lot westerly from the "Village Green." The length is thirty feet; width, twenty- two; with posts twenty feet; ten feet high in the clear, below; with nineteen windows-four lights, 14x30. In the rear is an ap- pendage 12x16 feet, for culinary purposes, etc. W. H. Williams built at the same time a very respectable residence nearly opposite. In addition to all this done in building, many houses have been much improved by painting, etc. It may also be said that one story has been added to a portion of the building occupied by E. Winslow, for store and post-office. David Trapp also erected a splendid
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house in the west part of the Town: two stories, with rooms spa- cious and airy, and finished in exquisite style, costing over $4,000. Samuel Hutchings erected a barn fifty feet in length, thirty-four feet wide, and twenty high above the basement, which is eight feet ; ' two bays for hay sixteen feet deep, with a floor seventeen feet. Standing on a conspicuous place, and well painted, it presents an imposing appearance for miles around.
"This building interest was very much facilitated by the discovery of a bed of very good sand, conveniently located. All the building mentioned, commencing with that of Dr. Muncey, was done in 1873. Captain S. M. Byram did, also, much for the improvement of his grist-mill,-siding and painting, on the outside, and in needed and thorough repairs inside, in the making of a new water-wheel, etc. This is called the Virgil Spring Mills, from the fact that it derives its propelling power mostly from the water of several large springs which are permanent, though not always sufficient for the demands of a large surrounding population. It is now doing a very lively business under the charge of the young Messrs. Rease. One great advantage is its very eligible location in the midst of a thriving community. Mr. Byram has also painted and much improved his house, so that now it presents a neat and becoming appearance.
Ebenezer Perkins has built a ware-house for the convenience of his business. The length is thirty-eight feet, and width, twenty- eight fect, with nineteen feet posts. It is painted in such a way as to present a very tasty appearance. He has also built a shop for blacksmithing, 26x20 feet. David Shultz has erected a large and commodious house. Its dimensions I cannot give. Henry Lewis has erected a house on the State road, one and one-half miles from the village. Charles Griswold made an old house nearly new about two years since, which is now painted and respectable in appearance. John O. Hammond, son of the late Thomas Hammond, has renova- ted the house on that place, and repaired the same so as to be almost new, adding much to its comfort and convenience.
George Fisher built in 1873 a horse barn thirty-eight feet in length, and twenty-four feet in width, and sixteen feet posts, on. a. good foundation of stone work, painted red and trimmed with white. He has also removed and improved a very large barn, placing it in . a convenient situation. Though so much was done in building,
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last year, the enthusiasm is not exhausted. Mr. B. B. Elster is building a residence that promises to be a credit to the builder and also to the village. Abram Sager is erecting a residence of noble dimensions, about three-fourths of a mile west from the village, which will be finished in the most approved style, costing $1,600 or more. Mr. Pinney is building a house on the Cortland road, from the village about two miles, which, from the known energy and taste of the builder, may be expected to be an honor both to the owner and to the neighborhood. Besides what has been mentioned, there is evidence of improvement generally, indicated by the inter- est shown in moving barns and other buildings to more convenient situations, and in their thorough repairs. In short, business is lively, crops are abundant, and we have had noticeable exemption from casualties by fire, wind and flood. We have had convenient rain and sunshine and the growth of a very luxuriant crop of vegetation such as has not been in the memory of "the oldest inhabitant."
NUMBER XXXV.
C HARLES W. JOHNSON reared a large and elegant barn, with a basement, near his house in the Village, and has since repaired and very much improved his house, rendering it not only comfortable but neat and tasty in appearance. Nathaniel Lewis has built a new house in the south part of the Village, of very respectable appear- ance. J. C. Seamans has built a residence, essentially new, embrac- ing but a small part of the materials of one previously occupying the same ground. It is of noble proportions, and, when well painted, will add much to the appearance of that part of the Village where it is located. Several buildings have been treated with new coats of paint, among which are those of G. W. Elster, J. P. Price and others. The Village has also been much improved in appearance and convenience, by the railing in front of the Baptist church, and . by a walk to the M. E. church. A barn of moderate dimensions has been built by W. A. Holton, directly north from the hotel, and
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a barn on the lot occupied by Elder Haskell has also been repaired and enclosed with new materials, giving a sprightly appearance to the immediately locality. Henry Smith, near the north line of the Town, has renovated and very much improved the appearance of one of his barns. Jared Munson has moved two barns, placed them adjoining, with a basement and other improvements, for conven- ience to himself and comfort to his animals. Harrison Smith, a mile north from the village, has replaced a rookery of a horse barn with a new one. Samuel Hutchings, who had a splendid barn, described in a former number as capable of being seen for miles away, has obscured the view by another barn of nearly the same description, though somewhat less in dimensions, but painted as well as the other. John O. Hammond has, since the last writing, given his house a thorough painting, which causes it to look very comely and pleasant. In the same neighborhood, a much needed and permanent bridge has been built across what is called the " Vir- gil Creek." The old school-house adjoining the west meeting-house has been replaced by a new, convenient and tasty edifice, presenting a great contrast to its predecessor, which was built in about the year 1808. Another number will be given to complete what is to be noted concerning other new buildings in the Town.
NUMBER XXXVI.
W ITHIN the last three years, R. C. Tyler has built a fine new barn. Frank Saltsman has erected a new horse and carriage barn of good size, well finished and painted. J. C. House has remodeled, changed and very much improved the house on the farm long occupied by his father and the family ; and Au- gustus Bell has thoroughly and tastefully painted his house. W. P. Mynard has erected a splendid barn, seventy-two feet in length and twenty-six feet in width, with sixteen feet posts above the base- ment, which is eight feet high. It is on a firm foundation of mason- work, well finished and painted. He has also built a commodious corn-house and granary, painted like the barn.
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In the north-west part of the town, we find several buildings recently repaired and painted -- and more that are new. Jesse Trapp's house, formerly, now owned by his son, was thoroughly repaired so as to be nearly new, a few years since. Thomas Gillen's house has new blinds and a new roof. Frank Yaples has built a house of respectable dimensions, two stories high, said to be well- finished inside, and soon to be painted on the outside. Frederick Hollenbeck has built a fine residence, the upright portion of which is forty-two feet by sixteen, two stories high, and the wing twenty- four by seventeen feet. It is entirely finished, except that he has it in contemplation to add something in the line of a veranda or stoop. It has an excellent cellar, added to which is a good and commo- dious cistern.
On the road from Dryden to Cortland, we find Warren Hoaglin, who has built during the present season a horse and carriage barn, thirty-four by fifty feet, with twenty feet posts, finished and painted. George Moore has erected, during the present season, an addition to his barn, twenty-four by thirty feet, with sixteen feet posts. The whole building is now sixty-four by thirty feet. N. P. Pulling has also built, during the present season, a house essentially new, which is nearly, or quite, finished ; is painted and very respecable in appear- ance. Cornelius Veeder has painted and put a new roof on his house, with other improvements. L. B. Ball has built a residence of imposing appearance on the State road, about one and one-half miles westward from the village. The upright portion is twenty- two by thirty feet, with twenty-one feet posts. The wing is sixteen by twenty-two feet, with twelve feet posts. There is a remarkably fine cellar, with faultless walls, seven and one-half feet deep. Water is brought by a pipe into the kitchen and is already running, and is also carried into the cellar to be in readiness for any arrangement that may hereafter be made. The rooms are arranged with much skill for convenience and comfort. The glass in the lower story is thirteen by thirty inches, and above it is thirteen by twenty-eight inches. The house is painted and otherwise nearly completed.
John McKinney, in the same neighborhood, has changed a house of ordinary appearance to one that is very respectable, by putting on improvements, rendering the building almost as good as new. The school district, long known as the "Morse Hill District," has
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built a respectably appearing new school-house. Emery Gee erected a new residence in 1876, which is still in process of completion, and is marked by all the characteristics that combine to render a home desirable and attractive, even to running water for domestic pur- poses in the kitchen. J. B. Hutchings erected a new barn of stately proportions, it being forty by fifty feet, with twenty feet posts, on a good foundation, with a bay twenty by forty feet, floor sixteen by forty feet, and stable fourteen by forty feet. The old barn, twenty- six by thirty-six feet, with sixteen feet posts, has been moved and placed adjoining a portion of the new, and newly inclosed. It was formerly thought to be a good sized barn, but now the contrast be- tween the two is great. Abram Sager has built a new barn, thirty- six by twenty-five feet, with sixteen feet posts above the basement, which is eight feet, all finished and painted. Robert Sager has removed a frame, and finished a barn, making it essentially new, and has it painted. L. V. Terpenning has built a convenient and handsome horse and carriage barn, twenty-six by forty feet, with eighteen feet posts. Dr. Tripp has thoroughly renovated and repaired a barn of moderate dimensions on his place. Norman Bailey, who lives half a mile west of the village, has built and painted a barn on his premises, retaining but little of the one pre- viously occupying the same ground, adding greatly to the appear- ance and value of his place. Myron Ballou has erected, finished and painted a barn of stately size, it being seventy feet long by thirty feet wide, with twenty feet posts. A. E. H. Ladd is making great improvements in his residence, which will be better appre- ciated when completed. Robert Sager has commenced to build spacious additions to his house. They are now complete and render the residence very tasty and becoming.
The writer is indebted to J. Shevalier, Esq., for information re- specting the east part of the Town.
On the road north from John Patten's, a new house and barn have been built within the past two or three years, now owned by Michael Delaney. On lot thirty, W. Holden, of Syracuse, caused a large barn to be built in 1875, with basement; and in 1876, a first-class house, painted and finished in excellent style. "Two years ago," Mr. Shevalier says, " our church underwent a thorough repair, from basement to roof. All of the old building that was
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left was the naked frame-all the rest is new and bright." Two years since Mr. Shevalier himself built a horse and carriage barn, all painted and finished, with running water in the same. Two years since, E. D. Angel built a substantial barn, thirty by forty feet ; and during the present season, E. B. Husted has also built a new barn.
In the west part of the Town, George Tyler has built during the present season a horse and carriage barn, thirty-six by fifty-four feet, with twenty feet posts, which is well finished and painted, and standing on a firm foundation. George P. Dann has repainted the exterior of his house; and in the interior, it has been re-painted, papered and otherwise very much improved. He has also removed and fitted up a barn with new foundation and new covering, mak- ing the same essentially new. He has also just finished, with the exception of paint, a new granary and corn-house, sixteen by twenty feet, with twelve feet posts-the same being complete with the latest improvements. Chester Simonds has removed and done off a barn of ordinary dimensions, adding much to the convenience of his place. Horace Fitts, in the west part of the Town, has, since the last writing, removed and thoroughly renovated his house, re-arrang- ing the inside, and painting the exterior. The school district known as the " Frank district " has commenced to build a new school-house, and in two other districts the question of erecting new school-houses has been agitated. It should have been sooner said that E. Wins- low has added much to the appearance and convenience of his place by building and painting. And still the enthusiasm for building and repairing continues unabated.
Edwin Branch has rebuilt his house, which was consumed last autumn, with the same kind of workmanship that obtained in the original structure. It is greatly to his credit that he has sustained himself with firmness through all the embarassment incident to the casualty. George H. Ladd has built a neat dwelling house adjoin- ing the Methodist church. Asa Price is renovating and much enlarg- ing his residence. R. C. Tyler has very much improved his barn, rendering it very much more capacious.
A new school-house has been built in what has been called the " Raymond District."
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Mr. David Shults had two barns burnt by lightning recently, and is now replacing them by one eighty feet long by forty feet wide, with twenty feet posts above the basement.
NUMBER XXXVII.
I have thought best, that, inasmuch as some facts have transpired that seem to have no particular connection with any subject treated of heretofore, a fragmentary chapter be inserted, embracing facts having no special mutual dependence on each other, and are here placed promiscuously.
To show the great difference in mail facilities in early days com- pared with the present, I would say that, being at the Village some forty years since, I was accosted by Thomas Hammond, a neighbor, who had a bundle of flax under his arm. He asked me to buy it to enable him to take a letter from the Post-office, which he had not the means to do. Now it is imperative on the sender to pre- pay, and the postage is so reduced that it is merely nominal.
Reference has been had in other pages to four men who fell from apple trees in gathering fruit. One of these was John Tyler, or as generally called, Deacon Tyler. It was near the house, and the con- cussion drove the breath from his body and he was carried to the house unconscious and breathless. Mr. Timothy Pond being pres- ent he breathed into his nostrils and he revived, and his breath has been healthy ever since. The four men referred to are named as follows : John Tyler, Moses Tyler, S. B. Seamans and Luther Gris- wold.
In the progress of the Temperance cause several obstacles had to be met and overcome, one of which was the quality of the material employed in the celebration of the Lord's Supper, to supply the place of the fruit of the vine, referred to in the administration of that ordinance. It had been the practice to use wine bought at the stores, involving the idea of drugged liquor embracing a large por-
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tion of Alcohol. Several members were dissatisfied, and a discus- sion arose which ultimately resulted in the adoption of the follow- ing resolution : "That the officers of the church be instructed to procure, for the use of the church in Communion seasons, pure na- tive wine, when it can be procured, or the article that has been used during the year past, which is made by getting the juice of soaked raisins." This was in February, 1853, and now at this late day only a portion of the churches have come to this standard.
In a preceding chapter it was announced that great opposition was felt and manifested against the Agricultural Fair held in Town and that this was one reason why it was given up. J. R. Dixon, Esq., editor of the Cortland County Republican, was in Town at- tending one of the Fairs, busy in his attention to his interest con- cerning his paper. He tarried over night at the Public House and heard the language of those who opposed. Afterward he said to the writer, that he wondered how we could keep up the Fair with such opposition as existed in the community. It was a wonder.
Reference has been had to the scarcity of money in the early days of the Town. It would be thought strange that a farm of fif- ty acres should be mortgaged for thirteen and one-half dollars. In the time of the Old Loan, it is announced that the farm of Salmon Curtiss was mortgaged for that sum.
It has been heretofore stated that when any enterprise is propos- ed that promises to be for the good of the community, it is sure to encounter persistent opposition from a certain class of the popula- tion. To illustrate : On the line of Lots in this Town, between 36 and 26, where the State Road, so called, was intended to run, a stream ran on the line, and the travel took place about three rods north of the line. After a time, a man by the name of E. H. Luce came to own the farm, and proposed to put the road on the line where it was intended to be. Great opposition showed itself. Now all feeling on the subject is over, and nearly forgotten.
In the year 1867, a patent was secured, in this Town, for an ap- paratus for gathering apples, by Martin Darling. I was invited, with several other fruit growers, to meet at the residence of Martin Luce, to examine the same in operation. It met our hopes and we
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recommended it to fruit growers for use, as deserving confidence. The whole realm of Nature had been examined to find a substitute for hand picking, and every plan had signally failed. It seemed de- sirable that a substitute should be discovered. One reason was, that persons in hand picking must hold on with one hand while the oth- er picks the fruit and places it in a basket. The danger is that trust will be placed in unsound limbs, and they be broken and the operator be precipitated to the ground to the great jeopardy of life and limb. If one has two hands for his support, he is assured of safety. Within a distance of a trifle over a mile in extent, in my immediate acquaintance, four men have thus fallen from trees, and have been essentially disabled for a long time. Another advantage is, that when there is danger of a hard frost, a number of hands can be drawn together and many can be gathered in a short time. A prejudice arose against the use of the instrument, so that men could not be employed for money, to use it and give it fair treat- ment. Also, factory cloth was so very dear in time of the war that it cost more for the canvas than men were willing to pay, and the consequence was that its general use was abandoned. A few have continued its use and are satisfied. Among these is Theron Lincoln Esq., of Newark, Wayne county, N. Y., formerly of this Town. He speaks highly of it, and some others do the same. John S. Winters has used and approves of it. Dann C. Squires also ex- pressed to the writer that he thought it must be a good thing. Martin Luce, Esq., of Cortland, who has no interest in its success, unless it can be used, told me that he gathered his apples with it one season, and that he kept them till the May following. He then took them to Cortland to sell. On his way he passed the residence of Mar- tin Sanders, who came to the road, and looking on them, said : " How could you keep them till this time looking so fresh and sound ?" Mr. Luce then gave the answer. Perhaps the people in Cortland will respect the opinion of Martin Sanders in reference to the appearance that apples should present when offered in their market for sale. I gathered a portion of my fruit in the same way one season, and the same was true of that. I insert this with the view to save a good thing from oblivion. It is safe to say that if a substitute for hand picking is ever discovered, this is it, inasmuch as Nature furnishes no other.
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