USA > New York > Oneida County > Gazetteer and business directory of Oneida County, N.Y. for 1869 > Part 13
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The population in 1865 was 3,595, and its area 18,551 acres.
Paris contains fifteen school districts, employing sixteen teachers. The number of children of school age is . 1,198; the number en- rolled in the schools, 904; the average attendance, 341, and the amount expended for school purposes for the year ending Septem- ber 30th, 1868, was $3,483.01.
REMSEN, named from Henry Remsen, Patentee of Rem- senburgh, was formed from Norway ( Herkimer Co ), March 15, 1798. A part of Steuben was annexed in 1809. It is the north- east corner town in the County. Its surface is an elevated upland,
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broken by hills and ridges, elevated from 1,200 to 2,000 feet above tide. Black River and its tributaries drain the central and north parts; West Canada Creek forms a small part of the south-east boundary and Cincinnati Creek a part of the west boundary. Ot- ter, Long and White Lakes are in the north part. The soil is a light, sandy loam, better adapted to pasturage than to tillage. A large part of the town is still covered with forests, forming a por- tion of the great Northern Wilderness. The Black River and Ctica Railroad passes through the south-western part of the town.
Remsen, (p. v.) situated on the Black River & Utica Railroad, contains five churches, two hotels, a grist mill, a saw mill and about 1,000 inhabitants.
Forest Port, (p. v.) situated on Black River, two and a half miles from Alder Creek Station, on the Black River & Utica Rail- road, contains three churches, two hotels, several lumber manufac- tories and about 800 inhabitants. The Forest Port Stave and Lumber Manufacturing Company has a capital of $50,000, and is doing a large business. There are a large number of saw mills in the town. A navigable feeder to the Black River Canal termi- nates here and affords an easy communication to all points by wa- ter. Several horse railroads extend from Forest Port to mills in the vicinity, constructed for the transportation of lumber.
The first settlement was made in 1792 by Barnabas Mitchell, from Meriden, Conn. The whole region was then a howling wilder- ness. Mitchell and his family located about five miles north-east of the present village, and were the only settlers that year. In 1793 John Bonner, Nathaniel Rockwood, Bettis Le Clerc, Perez Farr and Jonah Dayton, removed to the present limits of Remsen. These early settlers were from the eastern States; but in 1808, David Mound, John James, Griffith I. Jones, John Owens and Hugh Hughes, from Wales, located in this town, and were soon followed by a large number of their countrymen. A large ma- jority of the inhabitants of this town are natives of Wales or their descendants. They are a moral and religious people, as well as in- dustrious and frugal. The settlement of the village was commenced in 1795 by James Smith, who opened a public house. The house was constructed of logs and boards, and continued for several years to be a house of entertainment.
The first birth in the town was that of Polly Mitchell, and the first death that of Capt. Peck. Broughton White kept the first store, in 1803. Mr. White was a surveyor and for several years was a member of Baron Steuben's family.
The following is an extract from the journal of Rev. J. Taylor, a missionary, who visited the place in September, 1802: "This is a broken society. The people are very ignorant and wicked. About three months since, a stranger came into the town, who appeared to
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be a pert coxcomb, about twenty-eight years of age, who calls his name Alexander. He soon obtained a school and ina fortnight set up preaching, and pretends to preach every Sabbath. Who and what he is they know not, but that he is some notorious villain. I believe there is no doubt. Many of the people, especially the wickedest part, are very much attached to him. There is no church in town and but one professor, who belongs to the church in Steu- ben."
The population in 1865 was 2,650, and the area 71,321 acres.
There are sixteen school districts, employing twenty-four teach- ers ; number of children of school age, 726; average attendance. 212; amount expended for school purposes during the year ending September 20, 1868, $2,946.50.
ROME was formed from Steuben, March 4, 1796. It les upon the Mohawk, a little west of the center of the County. Its surface is level and some portion of it low and marshy. The Mo- hawk flows south-east through the east part, and Wood Creek flows west through the north-west part. Fish Creek, forms the north-west boundary. The soil generally is a gravelly loam and highly productive. On the south line of the town is a quarry of freestone, and on the north line, along the banks of the Mohawk and Gulf Brook, are large masses of shale. In excavating the ca- nal through the swamp, clam shells of a large size, charcoal and ashes, were found imbedded eight feet below the surface.
Rome, (p. v.) situated upon the Mohawk, south-east of the center of the town, was incorporated March 26, 1819. It is a half shire of the County, and contains the County buildings, thirteen churches, four banks, two newspaper offices, an academy, several private schools and several extensive manufactories. It is the most im- portant station on the New York Central R. R. and Erie cana! between Utica and Syracuse, and is the southern terminus of the Rome, Watertown and Ogdensburgh R. R. The Oswego & Rome R. R. connects with this at Richland, and is under the same man- agement. The Black River Canal also terminates at this village. The public schools are all under one board of trustees and in a pros- perous condition. The Union School, occupying a large building on Liberty street, is under the management of Mr. L. H. Birdseye. Principal, assisted by nine female teachers in the various depart- ments.
The Rome Academy was incorporated April 28, 1835, re-incor- porated by the Regeuts, March 15, 1849. It occupies a beautiful site at the corner of James and Court streets, and is valued at $11 .- 500. The estimated value of the library and apparatus is $1200. The school is now in a very flourishing condition, and under its present able management is well worthy of the patronage it receives
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from this and adjoining counties. There are several private schools, atfording ample facilities for the education of the youth of both sexes.
The Rome Iron Works, Edward Huntington, Pres't., is a large establishment engaged in the manufacture of railroad iron, employ- ing 160 hands and turning out about 10,000 tons of iron annually. The R. W. & O. R. R. Co., have a large shop where they manu- facture locomotives, cars, &c.
The Rome Merchant Iron Mill, in process of erection, is 150 by 90 feet, with truss roof upon brick piers. Its capacity when com- pleted will be 6000 tons annually. The capital of the company is $100,000. J. B. Hyde, Manager, Secretary and Treasurer.
The Rome Iron and Steel Bloom Co., and a large number of smaller manufacturing establishments are located here.
The New York Fuller's Earth and Soap Manufacturing Com- pany is a corporation formed for the purpose of mining, preparing and vending Fuller's Earth. The principal office of the company is at Rome. They own a bed of this earth, located in the town of Vienna, of about ninety-five acres and ranging in depth from fir- teen to thirty feet. The capital stock of the company is $400,000, divided into 8000 shares. The officers of the company are Palmer V. Kellogg, President; David Utley, Vice President; A. J. Mc- Intosh, Secretary.
The village is well laid out, the streets are nicely shaded and lighted with gas, rendering it one of the pleasantest villages in Cen- tral New York. The population is about 10,000.
West Rome is a thickly settled suburb, just west of Rome.
Stanwix, (p. o.) on the canal is a hamlet.
Green's Corners is a station on the N. Y. C. R. R., in the south- west corner ..
Ridge Mills and North Rome are hamlets.
. The "Carrying Place," between the Mohawk and Wood Creek, was discovered and made available at a very early period. At this point the two streams approach within a mile and a half of each other and are deep enough for batteau navigation. The Dutch inhabitants called the place "Trow Plat," while the Indians called it De-o-wain-sta, meaning the place where canoes are carried across from one stream to the other. There is a tradition that two forts were erected at this place previous to the erection of Fort Stanwix, but we have no reliable account of them. "Fort Bull," upon Wood Creek, is said by some to have been erected in 1725, but the commandant, at the time of its capture by M. De Lery, bore the name of Bull, hence some have inferred that it was built but a short time previous. This Fort was surprised and taken by M. De Lery, with a party of French and Indians numbering 362, March 27, 1756. The English garrison numbered ninety. From
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the account of De Lery, found in "Documentary History of the State of New York," we learn that the besiegers had been fifteen days in coming from Montreal, and for two days were entirely without provisions. "It is estimated that more than 40,000 weight of powder was burned or thrown into the creek, with a number of grenades, bombs and balls of different calibre. A great deal of salted provisions, bread, butter, chocolate, sugar and other provis- ions, were likewise thrown into the water. The stores were filled with cloths and other effects, which were pillaged, the remainder burnt. This day has cost the English ninety men, of whom thirty are prisoners." . Other accounts say only five escaped the sword of the conquerors. Fort Williams, on the Mohawk, was destroyed by Gen. Webb, after the reduction of Oswego, in 1756.
Fort Stanwix was built in 1758, by Brig. Gen. John Stanwix, at a cost of 60,000 pounds sterling. It was a square work, construct- ed on the most approved scientific principles of military engineer- ing, having four bastions and surrounded by a ditch. It stood a few rods south of the present park in the village of Rome. After the close of the French war it was of little use, and was suffered to go to decay. In 1776 it was repaired and an attempt was made to change its name to Fort Schuyler, which has caused some confusion in subsequent history, though Col. Willett, in his narrative, speaks of it as Fort Stanwix. It was besieged by St. Leger in 1777, but without success. A force under Gen. Herkimer, sent to raise the siege, fell into an ambuscade, and the battle of Oriskany was the result. This battle was fought at great disadvantage to the Amer- icans. Their baggage and ammunition wagons fell into the hands of the enemy on the first attack, leaving them with only the am- munition contained in their cartridge boxes. The day was warm, and with no water, they contended for six hours, causing the enemy to suffer as much as themselves. Gen. Herkimer received a wound which caused his death. Capt. Jacob Gardinier distinguished him- self in this battle. After receiving several wounds he crept into a cavity at the roots of a tree and continued the fight, by the aid of a Dutch boy, who brought him the guns of the fallen soldiers. The Captain was afterwards cured of thirteen wounds. While this hat- tle was going on, Col. Willett made a sortie from the Fort, attacked the Tory camp, and immediately after, the Indian camp, capturing the entire camp equipage, clothing, blankets, stores, &c., and the baggage and papers of most of the officers. Among the plunder were five British standards. The siege was raised the 25th of Au- gust. After the close of the war the Fort was of no further use, and now not a vestige of it remains.
The precise time when the first settlers, after the Revolution, came to Rome cannot be ascertained. Jedediah Phelps came in 1784, and erected a shop at Wood Creek for carrying on the busi-
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ness of brass founder and silversmith, but the next year changed his location to Fort Stanwix. During the years 1785 and 1786, five log houses were erected in the vicinity of the Fort. In Janu- ary, 1787, there were three log houses at old Fort Schuyler (Utica), seven at Whitestown, three at Oriskany, five at Fort Stanwix and three at Westmoreland. These houses, or huts, then sheltered the whole white population of the State west of Utica, except a few In- dian traders. Among the early settlers, previous to 1800, were John Barnard, George Huntington, Joshua Hathaway, Dr. Stephen White, Henry Huntington, Rozel Fellows, Matthew Brown, Bill Smith, Seth Ranney, Matthew Brown, Jr., David Brown, Ebenezer, Daniel W. and Thomas Wright, Thomas Selden, Solomon and John Williams, Peter Colt, William Colbraith, Abijah and Clark Putnam, Caleb Reynolds, Rufus Eaton, Thomas Gilbert, Moses Fish, Stephen Lampman, Jeremiah Steves, Annin Wiggins and John Niles. Mr. Wiggins settled in the north-east part of the town. His son, Mr. David Wiggins, now living, came with his father in 129S; he is the oldest settler now living in the town. In 1793 John Barnard kept a tavern a few rods north-east of the pres- ent site of the Court House. Mr. George Huntington arrived soon after with a small assortment of goods, and for want of better accommodations put them up in Barnard's bar-room. The build- ing they occupied was the first two story building erected in Rome, and was built by Seth Ranney. In the course of the season Mr. Huntington put up a store on James street. About the first of August, 1799, Thomas Walker started the first printing press in Rome, and issued the Columbian Gazette, a weekly paper, for the proprietors, Eaton & Walker. The first grist mill in Rome was erected in 1795, on Wood Creek, a few rods north of the United States Arsenal. In 1796 or 1797, a batteau loaded with corn ar- rived from Ontario County, and after the grist was ground, re- turned by the same route without accident. Previous to 1800, a man by the name of Logan kept a hotel in a building on the site of the " American." In 1797, "The Western Inland Lock Naviga- tion Company," completed a canal between the Mohawk and Wood Creek. It was two miles long and was sufficient for " Durham boats" of forty tons burthen. The canal was supplied by a feeder from the Mohawk. It had a lock of ten feet at the eastern termi- nus and one of eight feet at the western. About 1812 it was esti- mated that 300 boats, with 1,500 tons of merchandise, went through the canal annually. This canal, with the one at Little Falls, was considered a stupendous work in its day. The United States Ar- senal. magazine, workshops, &c., were erected at this place in 1813. On the 4th of July, 1817. the ground was first broken for the Erie Canal. Hon. Joshua Hathaway cast the first shovel-ful of dirt. The canal from Montezuma to Utica was so far completed as to
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be navigable in 1820. Bela H. Hyde was the first Collector ap- pointed at Rome, and held the office for eighteen consecutive years. The Erie Canal, as first constructed, passed half a mile south of the village, but when it was enlarged its channel was made through the village. The construction of the New York Central Railroad and the Black River Canal, and more recently the Rome, Water- town & Ogdensburg Railroad, have contributed greatly to the im- portance of the village. The first church (Congregational) was formed September 5, 1800, consisting of eleven members. Rev. Moses Gillett was the first pastor.
The population in 1865 was 9,478, and the area 43,946 acres.
The town contains twenty-one school districts. employing thirty- two teachers. The whole number of scholars is 3,091 ; the average attendance, 787, and the amount expended for school purposes dur- ing the year ending September 30th, 1868, was $13,639.38.
SANGERFIELD, named from Jedediah Sanger, was formed from Paris, March 5, 1795. Bridgewater was taken off in 1797. It was transferred from Chenango to Oneida County, April 4, 1804. It is the west town on the south line of the County. The surface is an upland moderately hilly, with a general elevation of from 700 to 800 feet above the Mohawk at Utica. The streams are small, the principal being the West Branch of Chenango Creek and the East Branch of Oriskany Creek. The former has numer- ous tributaries which flow westerly, upon which are several beauti- ful cascades, in two of which the water descends about seventy feet. Bailey's Pond is a sheet of water covering about ten acres, and ly- ing 200 feet above the Great Swamp. The pond has been sounded with a 120 feet line without reaching bottom. The Chenango or Great Swamp, commences about half a mile south-west of Water- ville, and extends in a southwesterly direction, until it reaches the south border of the town. It is about one mile in width and was formerly covered with a heavy growth of pine and cedar, which with judicious use would have supplied the wants of the citizens for many generations. The soil in the valleys is a rich alluvium. and upon the hills a gravelly loam, affording excellent pasturage. Hops are the staple product, but grain, wool and cattle are raised to con- siderable extent.
Waterville, (p. v.) situated on the north border of the town, con- tains six churches, viz., Episcopal, Presbyterian, Baptist, Metho- dist, Welsh Congregationalist and Roman Catholic; a bank, a newspaper office, two hotels, three dry goods stores, two drug and variety stores, two grocery and provision stores, two foundries, one hop press manufactory, a brewery, two tanneries, a lumberyard, a large boot and shoe manufactory, and various other shops and small manufacturing establishments. Putman's Hall is one of the finest
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public halls in the County. It is 47 feet by 100, and twenty feet trom floor to ceiling, and will seat one thousand persons. The block in which this hall is situated is a fine substantial brick struc- ture, three stories high, with a mansard roof. It was designed by A. J. Lathrop, of Utica, and constructed by A. B. Cady of Water- ville. Population of the village about 1300.
Sangerfield Center, (Sangerfield p. o.) is situated a little north of the center of the town, and contains a church, a store, a hotel, sev- eral mechanic shops and about 250 inhabitants.
Stockwell, in the south part, contains a church, a saw mill, a cider mill, a grist mill, a cheese box factory and about 125 inhabitants.
The first settlement was made by Zerah Phelps, of Mass., in 1791, on lot No. 42. In March 1792, Minierva Hale and wife, and Nathan Gurney and wife, came to this town from New Hartford, where they had lived one or two years. Their conveyance was ox teams and sleds. Mr. Hale settled on a lot joining that of Mr. Phelps; and Mr. Gurney settled on lot No. 40, now in the village of Water- ville. In April of the same year, Benjamin White settled on lots Nos. 39 and 40; Phineas Owen, Sylvanus Dyer, Asahel Bellows, Nathaniel Ford, Henry Knowlton, Jonathan Stratton and Mr. Clark, settled about the same time. An early frost in the fall of 1792, entirely destroyed the corn crop and put an end to immigra- tion till 1794.
The first birth in the town was that of a daughter of Mrs. Zerah Phelps, in 1792. Seneca Hale, son of Mr. and Mrs. Minierva Hale, was the first male child born in the town, Jan. 20, 1793. Col. David Norton moved into the town in 1793, from Arlington, Ver- mont. He subsequently became the first Justice of the Peace, the first Supervisor, the first Captain of Militia, the first Colonel and the first Post-master after the post office was removed to the Cen- ter. The first marriage in town was that of Sylvanus Dyer and Hannah Norton, the Col's. oldest daughter. The marriage occur- red October 30, 1793, and every person in town was invited and was present at the wedding. The season of 1793 was very favora- ble, excellent crops were produced, and about forty families moved into the town. Zerah Phelps built the first framed house in town, and Ebenezer Hale the second. No bricks could be procured for ovens, and the bake-kettle of Mrs. Minierva Hale, the only one in the settlement, became in great demand, hardly having time to cool. One woman baked in it the flour and meal of forty-two bushels of grain, most of it by the fire of burning log-heaps near the house. The first store was opened by Messrs. J. & E. Hale, who also kept the first inn. Polly Dyer taught the first school in Col. Norton's house. The first death was that of Sibyl Knowlton. The first town meeting was held April 7, 1795, at the barn of Mr. Phelps. Col. Sanger furnished a cask of rum, in accordance with
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a previous promise for the name of the town. Dr. Stephen Pres- ton was the first physician, and enjoyed an extensive practice for more than thirty years. The first religious society was organized in 1797, and the first settled pastor was Rev. James Thompson, in 1800. The number of members at the organization was 18. The first church edifice was erected in 1804, on the Green at the Center.
The Baptist church at Waterville, was organized in 1798, and their first pastor was Rev. Joel Butler, who commenced his labors in 1799. Their church edifice was erected in 1800. on what was then known as the " Green," now called the " Triangle," near the center of Waterville. The Episcopal church was organized in 1840. Rev. F. C. Brown was the first pastor. The Presbyterian church was organized in 1823 with Rev. Evans Beardsley as pastor. The Welsh Congregational church was organized in 1852, with Rev. Edward Davis as pastor.
Judge Sanger built the first saw mill, in 1793, on the East Branch of Oriskany Creek, and Benjamin White built the first grist mill on the same stream. The total amount of property assessed in San- gerfield in 1796 was $4,475, and the tax upon it, including the col- lector's fees of 85.35, was $109.56. The highest tax paid by any man was $5.04, paid by Benjamin White. The tax-payers were eighty-five in number.
The population of the town in 1865 was 2,357 and its area 19,463 acres.
There are twelve school districts, employing fourteen teachers. The number of children of school age is 870, the number attending school 584, the average attendance 253, and the amount expended for school purposes for the year ending September 30th, IS68, was $3,933.24.
STEUBEN, named in honor of Baron Steuben, was formed from Whitestown, April 10, 1792. A part of Mexico, (Oswego Co.,) was annexed, and Floyd and Rome were taken off, in 1796. Leyden (Lewis Co.,) and Western were taken off in 1797; Parts of Steuben's Tract in Western and Remsen were annexed in 1803; and a part was annexed to Reisen in 1809. It lies in the interior, north-east of the center of the County. The surface is a hilly, broken upland, rising from 800 to 1.200 feet above the Mohawk. The south line of the town crosses near the top of Floyd Hill, a high ridge running east and west. Big Brook runs westerly and north-westerly and empties into the Mohawk in Western, and Steu- ben Creek flows into Cincinnati Creek at Trenton; the latter forms a part of the eastern boundary. Steuben Hill is a high ridge rising somewhat abruptly toward the north from the central valley .-- Starr's Hill is the highest point in the County, and from it can be seen Hamilton College and portions of seven counties. This point
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received its name from Captain David Starr, one of the earliest set- tlers, who served seven years in the Continental Army. The soil is a gravelly loam, and bowlders of every size and shape dot the fields. Many of them have been removed and laid up into substantial fences. There are quarries from which good building stone is obtained.
Steuben Corners, (Steuben p. o.) in the southern part of the town, is a hamlet.
Steuben Station, on the Black River and Utica R. R., is in the north part, on the line of. Boonville.
The first settlement was commenced in 1789, by Samuel Sizer, under the patronage of Baron Steuben. Captain Simeon Fuller settled in 1792, and Captain David Starr about the same time .- Baron Steuben received from the Legislature a tract of-16,000 acres of land, in 1786, and settled there himself, but did not live to see his intended improvements carried out.
The first birth in the town was that of Stephen Brooks, Jr., and the first marriage that of William Case and Miss Platt. A large number of Welsh have settled here.
In view of the services rendered by Baren Steuben during our severe struggle for Independence, it seems proper to give a more extended notice of his life. His full name was Frederic William Augustus Baron de Steuben, and he was born in Germany about the year 1730 or 1733. He served with Frederic the Great in the "seven years' war," and became his Aid-de-camp and Lieutenant General of the Prussian army. In 1777, he came to America with letters of recommendation from Dr. Franklin, whom he had met in Paris, to General Washington. He offered his services to Con- gress without any other remuneration than his expenses, but in case the Americans gained their independence he would expect an indemnity for the sacrifice he had made. His services were ac- cepted, and he joined the army at Valley Forge in that darkest period of the Revolution. He was greatly astonished at the desti- tution, and declared that no foreign army could be kept together a single month under such circumstances. Disheartening as was the prospect, and increased by the Baron's ignorance of the English language, he entered upon his duties as Inspector General. The' rapid improvement of the army soon became apparent, and showed itself upon the battle field as well as in the camp. General Wash- ington said of him: "The Baron has in every instance discharged the several trusts reposed in him with great zeal and ability, so as to give him the fullest title of my esteem as a brave, indefatigable, judicious and experienced officer." After the close of the war he settled on the tract granted him by the New York Legislature. On the 25th of November, 1794, he was struck with paralysis, and died on the 28th. He was buried in his military cloak, to which was attached the star of Knighthood, always worn during life. Ile
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