USA > New York > Lewis County > Gazetteer and business directory of Lewis county, N.Y., for 1872-73 > Part 18
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37
+ This factory, of which G. M. Wickam is proprietor, is capable of using the milk of 700 COWS.
+ This mill, of which W'm. Jones is proprietor, contains three runs of stones, oporated by water, and is capable of grinding 300 bushels per day.
·
128
MARTINSBURGH.
GLENSVILLE STATION is situated on the U. & B. R. R. R., about three-fourths of a mile nearly east of Gensdale and con- tains two hotels, two stores and a depot.
EAST MARTINSBURGH is a flag station on the U. & B. R. R. R., and contains a school house, cheese factory,* a saw mill and cheese box factoryt combined, a blacksmith shop and a half dozen houses.
Settlement was commenced in 1801 by Gen. Walter Martin, who early in that year came up the Black River on a tour of inspection, and on his return to New York purchased of James Constable 8,000 acres of land, including the east subdivision of Township No. 5, of the Boylston Tract, for $12,000. The deed bears date of June 17, 1801.$ Mr. . Martin came from Salem, N. Y., whither he moved from Sturbridge, Mass., his native place, in 1787, and induced many from that locality to remove to this new country. ITe immediately came on with a company of men and made the first clearing, and built a log house and a saw mill before winter. His millwright. David Waters, from Johnstown. and the latter's brother, John, became pioneer settlers. Elijah Baldwin and his wife, from Salem, accom- panied Mr. Martin. The latter came to cook for the company, and was, during the first season, the only woman in town. As soon as surveyed, the land was offered for sale at 85 per acre, and in less than a month nearly the whole of it was contracted by persons intending to settle, who agreed to clear four acres and erect a house within two years. Numerous clearings were begun in various parts of the tract, and rude log cabins built for the families who were to come the next spring. Mr. Martin arrived with his family March 4, 1802, and during this season many families made a permanent settlement. In less than two years a settlement of no inconsiderable importance was estab-
* At this factory about 113.000 lbs. of cheese are made annually. It is capable of using the milk of 500 cows.
t During the past year 300.000 feet of lumber was sawed in the mill, and 4,000 boxes made in the factory.
# The following mannfactortes are located in this town, but removed from the business centers: The Reds cheese factory, bested one-half mile south-west of Glen dale. u.es the milk from 150 cows, and makes 40,01' to 50.290 lbs. of cheese per annum ; E. G. Dodge's cheese factory, located on the main road between Lowville and Glensdale. is capable of using the milk of 350 cows and making: $5,000 lbs, of cheese per annum ; the Smithing factory, 21 mile- south- west of Martinsburgh, is capable of using the milk from 3); cows ; the Martinsburgn and Censoale cheese factories, are owned by A. W. Johnson, each employe three persons, and has a dry house, 30x 100 feet, and the former is located near Martinsburch, and is using the milk of 406 cowa; the latter is supplied by 5% cowa; and the L'ator factory, located one mile west of West Martinsburgh, is capable of using the inilk of 250 cows and making $5,000 lbs. of cheese per annum.
§ The trart was sarveved the Ast summer of the purchase, and it was found to fall short of 8.000 acres. The defe.ency was supplied by the conveyance of 703 acres from the weet subdivision of the walne township. May 26, 1806.
1
129
MARTINSBURGII.
lished .* The prosperity of the early settlers was largely due to the indomitable energy and unbounded liberality of Mr. Martin. His sympathy and aid were readily enlisted in every public enterprise which promised immediate or prospective good results ; though he was generally the instigator of measures calculated to enhance the public good. He was honored with several civil and military offices, and upon the establishment of a postoffice at Martinsburgh, Jan. 19, 1804, he was appointed postmaster.t Asahel Hough, from Leyden, made the first settlement at West Martinsburgh, in the spring of 1802 ;} Nathaniel Alexander, from Chester, Mass., the first in Town- ship No. 4, in July, 1805 ; and Reuben Pitcher and Eli Rogers, from Westfield, Mass., the first in the south part, included in Shaler's Tract, in 1802. They, like many other families who came in the spring of that year, says Dr. Hough, were delayed until late in February, by the want of snow. The ice in the Hudson at Albany being broken up, they were obliged to cross that river at Waterford, where the ice, although a foot under water, was considered safe. John Peebles came from Salem in 1804, and was the first blacksmith to locate here. Many of his descendants still reside in the town. Jane, daughter of Ehud Stephens, who was born Feb. 20, 1802, was the first child born in the town; Charles Baldwin was the second, and Charles L. Martin, the third. The first store was kept by Walter Martin, who removed the remainder of a stock of goods from Salem. to supply the wants of his settlers until a regular merchant was established. ITe also built the first grist mill in 1802 or '3. Amos Barnes built the first framed house a mile and a quarter south of Martinsburgh, in 1805. Philo Rockwell and Dan-
* Among those who arrived the first and second years, were Mrs. Richard Arthur and sons. Ehud Stephens. Levi Adams, John and Orrin Moore, Chillus Doty. Silas Conkey. Wim. Miller. John Atwater, Jeseph Sheldon. Jotham Strickland, Elisha and Daniel Tiffany, Nathan Cheney, Justus Sacket, Eli Kellogg, Stephen Root, Roswell Miner, Daniel Ashley, Ephraim Luce, St phen Searl. Dr. Danforth Shumway, Enoch and Theron Thomp-on. John McCollister, and others, on Martin's Triangle. These as well as other earlv settlers in the town were chiefly from Salem, N. Y., aud Westfield, Mars. - Hough's History of Lewis County.
+ Mr. Martin was born Dec. 15, 1761. and died at his residence in Martinsburgh, Dec. 10, 1834. His father. Capt. Adam Marim, who removed with him to this town, was b. rn Aug. 27. 1789. and died in the town Ang. 9, Ils. The former, during his residence in Salem, met with a pamtul accident. While engaged in cutting ice about the wheel i : his grist mill, the miller, unconscious of his situation, let water upon the wheel, which revolved with Mr. Martin ta it, and continued in motion until stopped by his body. Heescaped with a broken leg and severe bringes During the early part of his residence in this town, he participated in an incident which nearly cost him his life. He was concealed in a wild cherry tree near the west road one evening, awaiting the approach of deer which frequented that locality, and attracted the attention of another settler, who was also hunting. and who, in the nncertain light of eventtar. mistook hin for a bear, aint having leveled his gun, was on the point of firing at the object in the tree, bet was observed and huiled by Mr. Martin soon enough to avert the fatal shot.
+ Lobdell Wood, Arba Jones, James Contes, Samuel Gowdy, David and C'ester Shumway. Clark Mi Corty, Asa Brayton, William. Jonas and Watson Henry, Nathaniel Babcock and Truman Stevens, raided along the west road within the next three years. The shumways were from Belchertown, Mass .- Hough's History of Lewis County.
·
€
130
MARTINSBURGH.
forth Shumway established themselves as merchants in 1806. Cbillus Doty kept the first inn in a log cabin a few rods west of the brick tavern, in which the first County Courts were held and the first town business transacted. The first school house was built on the brow of the hill south of Martinsburgh, in 1804. The first teacher was Erastus Barns .*
The first religious services Were conducted by missionaries in private houses and subsequently in the school house south of Martinsburgh. A church edifice, the first in the State north of the Mohawk, was erected at Martinsburgh, in 1806, "chiefly through the aid of Gen. . Martin, who defrayed the principal share of the cost, and sold pews to families as oppor- tunities offered." A subscription was taken to defray the expense of painting, and a bell weighing 800 pounds and costing $400 was donated by Gen. Martin in 1827, in return for the compliment of naming the town after him. The house was repaired in 1832, furnished with an organ in 1838. again repaired in 1853, and borned by lightning August 1, 1854. Another church was erected in 1858 on this site. Occasional meetings were held in the church previous to 1809, but not until Rev. Elijah Norton was employed for a few months that year was the pulpit filled regularly. Feb. 19, 1810, Rev. Aaron Jordan Booge was invited to minister to the spiritual wants of the settlers for a period of four years, and "that he might be 'free from worldly cares and avocations,' the trustees promised to pay $250.per annum in quarterly in- stallments." The invitation was accepted, but he soon ren- dered himself obnoxious by participating in politics. Dec. 9,
.
* No legal school avste a was adopted unti 1911. when C .. ester Shumway, Dr. Horatio G. Houg t and Orrin Moore were appointed School Com nistioners ; and Barunhas Yale.+ John McCollister, Aruhe! Hough. Levi Adams, Noah N. Hlarger and Ephraim Lace. School inspectors.
t Dr. Hongh was the first physician in th . County, and the father of Horatio Hough, of this town and Frankbu B. Hough, of Lowville, the author and State statistician. He was of English deacest, was born at Meriden. Co.un., Jan. 5, 1778, and at the age of three year re oved with his piren sto Sifawick, Mass., where, at the age of sixteen, ha commenced the study of marine with Dr. cost, and par-ned bis classical studies with: Rev. I-xac Clinton. At the sco of twenty he was admitted to the practice of medicine, and received as his ouly patrimony s horse, saddie, bridle, and a few dollars worth of medicine. With these he mage a tour to Maine, with a view to settling there, but not freing an attractive location, be related and joined the tido of emigration then wetil: grtoward the Blue' River country. He first settled on a sinall farm near Cons: zhbeville, and in 1:05 removed to a farmi on ; and one-fourth miles south of Mar- tine burgh, where be reminded till kin do tu. Sept. 3. 1830. flo was an original member of the Lewis County Medical Society, and at his death was president of that organiza- tion.
+ Mr. Yale was born in Rupert, Vt., April 9, 1751, and when a child removed with his parents to Sab m. N. Y .. where he spent two years at the Salem Academy, and then two and me-half years in the study of law with Mr. Blanchard. In February, 1877, be was admitted to pra tice. and met; ed at Martius argh. where he practiced his profos- rion abon! ! wenty-five years. He he.d for many years the office of justice of the peace, and in 1×20 was appointed Surrogate. When he ce med to practice his proto-sion, he Settled upon a farm, and in feine removed to St. Lawrence county. He died at the residence of his son, Lloyd C., at Norfolk, N. Y., Oct. 11, 1854 .- Hough's History of Lowvis County.
·
131
MARTINSBURGH.
of this year the First Presbyterian Church of Martinsburgh Was organized with forty-seven members .*
The Martinsburgh M. E. Church, at Martinsburgh village, was organized Sept. 4, 1831, though the meetings held by persons of this persuasion were among the first held in the town.t A stone church was built in 1832, but was allowed to dilapidate and in twelve or fifteen years, upon the erection of churches in other parts of the town, was abandoned, sold and taken down. Another church was built adjacent to the old clerk's office in 1857. It will seat 400 persons. The Society numbers 140 members. Their pastor is Rev. L. B. Noulton.
The West Martinsburgh M. E. Church was organized Jan. 30, 1840,1 in the summer of which year their house of worship was erected. It will seat 400 persons. Rev. L. B. Noulton is the pastor.
The Second West Martinsburgh M. E. Church was organized Sept. 8, 1840.§ A small chapel was erected on the hill west of the village of Martinsburgh. It will seat 400 persons. This society is also under the pastoral care of Rev. L. B. Noulton.
The Second Advent Church, at West Martinsburgh, was organized with twenty-five members, by George W. Burnham, its first pastor, in 1850. and erected its house of worship, which will seat 250 persons, in 1851, at a cost of $1,000. There are fifteen members, and Elder C. H. Williams is the pastor. The Church property is valued at $800.|
St. Patrick's Church, at Maple Ridge, was organized with thirty members, by Rev. Cornelius Fitzpatrick, its first pastor. in 1859, in which year was erected the church edifice, capable of seating 400 persons, at a cost of 8900. The number of members is 315. Rov. William Nyham is the pastor. The Church property is valued at $1,500.5
* Walter Martin, Levi Adams, John M Colister, Chillus Doty. Chester Shumway, Nathan Cheney, Elzar S'ph n4, Ephraim Luce and Barnabas Yale were the original trustees. It was originally Congregational, but was changed to Presbyterian, Jan. 3, 1812.
t Abner Clapp, Elijth Baldwin, Sedgwick Costes, Burrage Hongh, John C. Hongs, Arnold Clapp and Sainnel Gordon jr., were the trustees.
# Lobdell Wood, Moses Talinadze. Giles Exston. Henry McCarty. Norman Gowdy, Heury Miner, Henry Curtis, Noah N. Harger and More . M. Smith were trustees.
§ D. Seymour, Joseph Brown and Wmi. Peebles wore trustees.
! Information furnished by D. IDucks.
Information furnished by John Corrigan.
132
MONTAGUE.
MONTAGUE* was formed from West Turin, Nov. 14, 1850.+ It lies upon the west border, a little south of the center, and contains 39,084 acres. Its surface is generally rolling, but in some places it is broken and hilly. It has an inclination to the north-west, and an elevation of 1,200 to 1.600 feet above tide. It is watered by the head waters of Drer River, the north branch of Salmon River and the south branch of Sandy Creek, and numerous small streams flowing into the former. Deer River rises in the south-east part and flows diagonally through the town, which it leaves in the north-west part. The north branch of Salmon River rises in the south-east corner and flows south and west through the south part of the town. The south branch of Sandy Creekt rises near the west border and flows directly west. Upou lot No. 22, in the north-west part, is a sulphur spring. The soil is a moderately fertile sandy and gravelly loam. The settle- ments are of recent date and much of the town is yet a wilder- ness. Agriculture and lumbering form the chief industrial pursuits.
In 1870 the town had a population of 718, of whom 603 were native and 115, foreign ; and all were white.
During the year ending Sept. 30, 1871, the town contained seven school districts and employed seven teachers. The num- ber of children of school age was 336; the number attending school, 230; the average attendance, 95; the amount expended for school purposes, 81.358.60; and the value of school houses and sites, $1,235. It has a larger percentage of children who do not attend school than any other town in the County, though it expends more per capita for school purposes than many of the towns; it also expends a less aggregate sum for school pur- poses, and its school houses and sites are of less value.
MONTAGUE (p. o.) is a hamlet in the north-west part, about two miles south of New Boston Bridge. The post office was established in 1856. It is the only one in the town.
* Pronounced Mou-ta-za, and named from Mi-s Mary Montagne Pierrepont, whose father, Hez kinh B. Pierrepont, formerly owned this town and large tracts of land in this and adjoining counties. Mas Pierrepont acknowledged the compliment by pre- senring the town with a set of record books. The town embraces township No. 3, or Shakesame, and a part of No. 3, or Agtet, of the Boylston tract.
+ The first town meeting was held at what is now known as Liberty school house (Dist. No. 20 Feb. 11. 1-41. and Wheat in Burigton elected Supervisor ; Stephen A. Green. Tien Clerk; Legge Gabrion. Carter: Ozins Little. Henry Dunham. Isaac Gabrion and Win. Rotter, C'estcies ; Leonard G. Savage. Tien Superintendent ; Win. Rector. Howard G. w ... vel im Par Your. Commissioners ; Wheaton Buring- ton, Albert P. Perkin4. Alfred Green and John Dunham, Justices of the Peace ; Josse M. White and Denni- Boga, Drivers of the Poor ; I-me Gabrion, Elijah M. Dunham and Jesse M. White, as avvers ; bajath M. Dunham and Alfred Green, Inspectors of Elections. + Known to the Indians as Takoduogahe.
.
·
133
MONTAGUE.
GARDNERS CORNERS is a hamlet in the north-east part. Joseph M. Gardner keeps a small store here, and from him the locality derives its name.
Settlement was begun under Diodate Pease of Martinsburgh as agent of the Pierrepont estate. The first land was taken up by Foster P. Newton, May 30, 1846, and the first clearing made by Leonard Cummings on the line of Montague and Pinckney, but the first settlement was made by Samuel Holden, who came with his family in 1846, and settled on Liberty Street road, wintering in a shanty on the land purchased by Newton. Samuel P. Sears came in the following year and commenced the erection of a saw mill in the fall, which he finished in July, 1848. This was the first saw mill in the town, and Sears was the second settler. Peter Davis commenced improvements near Gardners Corners in 1847, but Alonzo and Elias Garnsey, Orville Maxum and Zebulon Marcellus, who settled at Gardners Corners the same year, were the first to locate there. Alonzo Garnsey purchased May 10, 1847, but remained there only a year or two. Nelson Fuller settled one and one-fourth miles north-east of Sears' saw mill, in 1849. Alfred Osborne settled on the Salmon River road, about one mile north of Salmon River, on the farm on which he still resides, in 1851. Daniel Dening settled about three-fourths of a mile north of the river, on the same road, in February, 1852. Joseph M. Gard- ner, Calvin Rawson, G. Savage, Peter Durham, Oliver Stafford, S. A. Green, Wm. D. Bucklin and Isaiah Burr were among the early settlers of the town. Joseph M. Gardner kept the first store at Gardners Corners. The first death of an adult per- son was that of Caleb Green, which occurred Jan. 23, 1854. The first framed school house was built in 1850. When Mr. Pierrepont visited the town, in September, 1848, 4,000 acres were contracted and 600, deeded. In 1850, 13,000 acres were sold, 40 miles of road were laid, a saw mill was in course of erection, and there were 100 inhabitants in the town. In 1857 there were five saw mills, and in 1860, 707 inhabitants .*
* The following persons from this town entered the army during the war of the Re- bellion :
George W. Harter enlisted in Co. 1, 94th N. Y. Infty., in March, 1862.
Alson E. Sbuford enlisted in Co. E, 7th Black Horse Cavalry. in Sept., 1861.
Sylvester Marcellus enlisted in Co. F, 6th N. Y. H. A., March 21, 1564, and was discharged Any 24, 1865. Lorenzo Marcellus enlisted in Co. B. 91th N. Y. Infty., in 1862.
Abijah Marcellus enlisted in Co. B, 59th N. Y. Infty., July 1, 1861, and served about 3% years.
Phineas Olmstead, jr., enlisted in Co. F. 1st. Frontier Cavalry, Jan. 28, 1865, and served till the close of the war.
Alonso Allen enlisted in Co. MI, 5th N. Y. II. A., Aug. 11, 1862, and served till the clo-e of the war.
John Lails enlisted in the 5th N. Y. H. A., in 1862, and served till the clone of the war.
James A. Castle enlisted in Co. E. Black Horse Cavalry, in 1861. Disbanded in 1862.
134 MONTAGUE-NEW BREMEN.
There are no churches in the town, though two M. E. socie- ties were organized in 1851, a Baptist society in 1854, and a third M. E. society in 1857.
NEW BREMEN was formed from Watson and Croghan, March 31, 1848 .* It is an interior town, lying on the east bank of Black River, a little north of the center, and contains 34.148 acres. It is bounded on the north by Croghan, west, by Black River, and south and east by Watson. In the west the surface is level, but in the east it presents a diversity, being at intervals rolling, broken and rocky. It is watered by several tributaries to the Black and Beaver rivers. The latter stream forms the west part of the north boundary. The soil is a light, sandy loam.
The population of the town in 1870 was 1,908, of whom 1,373 were native, and 535, foreign; and all were white.
During the year ending Sept. 30, 1871, the town contained eleven school districts, and employed twelve teachers. The number of children of school age was 981; the number attend- ing school, 653; the average attendance, 295; the amount expended for school purposes, $2,507.61; and the value of school houses and sites, 84,298.
DAYANSVILLEt (New Bremen p. o.) is situated on Crystal Creek, one and one-half miles from Black River, and contains three churches, a hotel, three stores, a saw mill, two tanneries, three blacksmith shops, three wagon shops, a grist mill, sash and door factory, cheese-box factory, shoe shop, about 125 families, and 450 to 500 inhabitants.
BEAVERTON is situated on Beaver River, two miles below the French settlement. There are two large saw mills in operation here, one of which has two gangs of saws, and is sawing 45,000 to 50,000 feet of lumber per day.
Samuel Illingworth, an Englishman, settled on the bank of Black River, a little south of Crystal Creek, about the beginning
* When erected, the town contained 1.815 inhabitants, 1,030 of whom formerly belonged to Watson, and 315, to Croghan. Of the whole number, 753 were Europeans. In 1850 the population had increased to 1,510, and in 1860, to 1.786.
The first town meeting was held at the house of Charles G. Loomis. Bornt Nellis was elected Supervisor, and Squire H. Snell, Town Clerk.
t Named by Le Ray &. a mark of respect for his agent for the sale of lands in this town. Charles Davan. of Lowville. The village " was surveyed in the fall of 1524. by Jason Clark, of Plessis, who, in commencing," saye Dr. Hough, "found it necessary to trace one of the lines from the river. The party had reached Crystal Creek justat annset, and were preparing to crows the stream, and encamp on the opposite bank for the night, when they were started by the bowl of a pack of wolves in their rear. There is something preuliarty dismal in the cry of this animal, especially when heard by night, and the idea of sleeping in this lonely place was especially unpleasant to some of the younger members of the party, who could not be prevailed upon by any argument to remain. They accordingly returned to the settlement on the river, and resumed their labors the next morning."
·
1
.
135
NEW BREMEN.
of the present century, or shortly previous,* and is believed to have been the first settler in the town. Jacob Oboussier, clerk to Rodolphe Tillier, resident agent of the French proprietors, was contemporaneous with him. The latter settled on the Black River, about one-third of a mile below the Illingworth . bridge. He is believed to have been drowned in the Ohio River, while on a visit to the French settlements in Louisiana. He left about the beginning of the present century, but before his departure left some of his property in the care of Illing- worth. He was never after heard from. "The title to this tract was contested by Le Rav, as representative of the French proprietors, upon the ground that Tillier had exceeded his powers, in selling more than fifty acres in one tract, and the Courts sustained the prosecution by setting aside the claims of Gilchrist, who had acquired the title." For many years Illing- worth was the only settler in the town. Persons engaged on hunting and fishing excursions into the forest, crossed the river at this point, which was familiar to all who passed up and down the river, "as was more frequently done when the country was new, and the roads in wet seasons were nearly impassable." Charles Dayan was appointed agent by James D. and Vincent Le Ray in 1821, up to which time no effort was made to bring these lands into market. The first improvement on the site of Dayansville was made in 1826, and one of the first buildings erected was a saw mill. A rake-factory was built in 1853, and a saw mill, in 1847. The former continued in operation several years. About 1853, the completion of the Sackets Harbor and Saratoga R. R. was anticipated, and a building erected, designed for a machine shop, but failing to realize these expectations, it received some additions, and was converted into a tannery. Other manufactories were erected, some of which are now in operation, and have been noticed. Elias E. Conover took up 5 acres of land about one and one-half miles south east of Dayansville, and settled on it in February, 1830. About the same time, Peter Mann, Benjamin Flavel, James Murphy, John MeCauly, John Bowman, John Davis and - Evens settled in close proximity to each other. The first store was kept by Samnel Stevens, at Dayansville. Mrs. Erastus Peak, (nee Puffer) was the first female child born in the town.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.