USA > New York > Onondaga County > Gazetteer and business directory of Onondaga County, N. Y., for 1868-9 > Part 6
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The intercourse of the early settlers of this town with the In- dians was frequent and of the most friendly character. It was a place of great resort with the Oneidas and Onondagas, on account of hunting and fishing.
The first school was kept at Brewerton in 1792. Isaac Cody was the first merchant in the town. The first town meeting was held at the house of Patrick McGee, at Three-River Point, in 1807. Moses Kinne was Moderator, Thomas Pool Supervisor, and Elijah Loomis, town clerk.
There are no antiquities of note in this town, though frequently, along the shore of the river and lake, are found relics of war, such as arrow heads and axes of stone, and occasionally an Indian's grave. In one of these a brass kettle was found, in which was a bunch of grapes. When brought to light they were fresh and good looking, but on a little exposure, they soon crumbled away.
Fort Brewerton, called by the Indians, Oh-saha-u-ny-talı-se-ugh- kah, "Where the water runs out of Oneida Lake," one of the line of English fortifications between Oswego and the Mohawk Valley, was situated in Oswego county, on the shore of Oneida outlet, op- posite the present village of Brewerton. During the old French war from 1755 to 1763, there was a great strife between the Eng-
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ONONDAGA COUNTY BUSINESS DIRECTORY.
Bramer & Pierce's Agricultural Works
AND
YOUNG WARRIOR MOWER
MANUFACTORY, ESTABLISHED IN 1838.
Manufacture as a Speciality the Celebrated
Young Warrior Mower ; also other Agricultural Implements, such as Horse Powers, Separators, Clover Hullers, Sawing Ma- chines, and all kinds of Castings to order.
The Young Warrior Mower as patterned and manufactured by us, is the ne plus ultra of Mowers. After another year's trial of the Young Warrior, it is evident that it is fast working its way into public favor, and is acknowledged by all who are acquainted with it to be the very best Mower in use, for the following reasons :
It is the lightest draft of any machine made, average draft in heavy grass being only 175 lbs .; it is simple, compact, neat and durable. No bearing down on horses necks; no side draft. Has an easy seat to ride on, and is the easiest and most convenient machine to manage, manufactured. Iron frame, two driving wheels, planetary gearing entirely enclosed from grass, dirt, &c., flexible folding cutting apparatus, closely guarded, made of the best material. in a good workmanlike manner, and fully warranted.
The other articles of our manufacture are of the most approved kinds; are built of the best material, and give universal satisfaction. We would call particular attention to our CLOVER HULLER, which is conceded by all who have used it to be the best and most durable Huller made, doing more and better work than any other. We respect- fully solicit orders for any article of our manufacture, and warrant satisfaction.
Send for Circulars to
BRAMER PIERCE
FABIUS, N. Y.
Extras for repairing the Young Warrior Mower can be found at GILES EVERSON & CO'S HARDWARE STORE, No. 8 S. SALINA ST., Syracuse.
Agents for Onondaga County.
D. B. LORD, Baldwinsville; JOHN SHERWOOD, Camillus; AUSTIN WYCOFF, Navarino; PETER INGERSON, Vesper; HENRY CLARK, Lafayette; H. W. FRA- DENBURGII, Jordan.
SEE CUT, PAGE 38.
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ONONDAGA COUNTY BUSINESS DIRECTORY.
ONONDAGA CHIEF MOWER AND REAPER
COMBINED, WITH
Hand & Self Raking Attachments. For Light Draught, case of management and durability, unequaled by any in Market.
The Onondaga Chief Mower and Reaper. NOSTIA
ADVANTAGES.
1. The knife operates the same with the finger bar at any position.
4. The pitman is always in line.
3. Open and clear space under the Machine, and no pitman across to bend, break or dos. 1. Will mow, with light draught, in the heaviest of grass with slow gait of team, without clogging. Manufactured and for sale by
PRESTON, CHENEY & SNOOK, MANLIUS, N. Y.
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GAZETTEER OF TOWNS.
lish and French for the mastery of the Mohawk Valley. The French were favorites with the Indians, and in the struggle always acted favorably to them. In 1758, General Stanwix had erected a strong fortress, at what is now called Rome, to secure the key at that im- portant place ; and also a stockade enelosure, as a defense against the Indian, at the outlet of Oneida Lake. After the reduction of Fort Frontenac by Col. Broadstreet, in 1758, he retook possession of the forts at Oswego, which were again garrisoned. Mr. Oliver Stevens was induced to settle at Fort Brewerton in 1789, by the represen- tations of two brothers who had been in garrison there in 1756-7-8.
During the exciting scenes of 1790, when the Indians were so troublesome on our western frontiers, and while the British held possession of Oswego, Mr. Stevens was commissioned by Gov. Clinton to erect a block house at this place, a portion of which is still standing in a dilapidated condition. It was afterwards oeeu- pied as a dwelling until the year 1811. Mr. Stevens found around the fort a variety of warlike implements. Upon one occasion, in- side the fort, the hogs rooted up a keg of nails.
The population of the town in 1865 was 3,166, and its area 2,900 acres. There are in the town sixteen school districts, employing thirty-two teachers. The whole number of pupils is 1,064 and the average attendance 364; the amount expended for school purposes in 1867 was $6,280.39.
CLAY, named from the Hon. Henry Clay, was formed from Cicero, April 16, 1827. It is the central town upon the north line of the County. Its surface is very flat and but little elevated above the level of Oneida Lake. Seneca River forms its west, and Oneida River its north boundary. The soil is in part clayey, and in part a rich sandy loam. The swampy portions of the town are being drained and cultivated, and are among the most productive portions of the town. Hundreds of acres have been cleared off stumps and brought under cultivation the present year. Fruit,, grain and grass are largely produced.
Belgium, ( Clay p. o.) is situated in the west part of the town, on the Seneca River. It contains a school house, with a public hall in the upper part, a steam saw mill, and about 40 houses. The saw mill contains one upright and three circular saws. The river is. crossed at this place by a fine bridge. On the west side of the river is a church, a boat yard, and about a dozen houses. About half a mile below Belgium is a manufactory of drain tile. Center- ville, ( Plank Road p. o.) situated in the east part of the town, con- tains two churches, one school, a steam saw mill and about 60 houses. Euclid, (p. v.) in the north-west part of the town, contains two churches, two wagon shops, a steam saw mill, and about 35 D
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GAZETTEER OF TOWNS.
houses. The saw mill is run by a 20 horse power engine, and is capable of cutting about 3000 feet of lumber daily. Three River Point, situated at the junction of the Oneida and Seneca Rivers, is a hamlet.
The first white settler in this town, then Lysander, was Patrick McGee, at Three River Point, in 1793. In 1798, Adam Coon set- tled in the north-east part of the town, and Simeon Baker on the Seneca River, in 1799. When Mr. McGee first visited this place, (Three River Point,) he was a prisoner with the English, on his way to Fort Oswego. He says: at that time there was an exten- sive clearing there, handsomely laid in grass, without a shrub or a tree for a mile or more along the banks of each river. This spot was often used as the council grounds of the Iroquois Confederacy. Here too the French and English often met the chiefs and orators, who were not unequal to themselves in all that pertains to sagacity, skill and diplomacy. Japheth Kinne afterwards settled in Cicero, which is now Clay, in 1809.
The early settlers were compelled to go twelve or fourteen miles to mill, and carry their grists on their back, guided only by blazed trees. The trip usually occupied two or three days. After the roads were cut through, a neighbor would take the grists of a whole neighborhood upon an ox sled, and carry them to the mill. They received their letters from Onondaga Hollow post office.
The first and most important article of trade was salt barrels, large quantities of which were manufactured and carried to the salt works. The first barrel made in the County, although not exactly in the town of Clay, was made by Mr. William Whedon, grandfather of Ezra Whedon, who now resides at Fairmount, four miles from the city of Syracuse. His shop for many years lay between two, or, I might say, three little knolls, fronting to the north on the Genesee Turnpike. He had to prepare the staves with his own hands, and shave his hoops on the old fashion horse. Like many of the old pioneers, he depended more on his arms than his ideas for strength. There is still left the machinery he used, and although rough, we have not as yet improved much on them in the cooper shop.
The first post-office was established about 1825, in the west part of the town, and called "West Cicero." Nathan Teall was appoint- ed post-master. The first school house was erected at Clay Cor- ners about 1808, and a teacher named Hall taught the first school. At Clay, near the river, a log school house was erected in 1809, and a frame one in 1812. The first physician in the town was Dr. Olcott. The first town meeting for Clay was held in April, 1827. Andrew Johnson was chosen the first supervisor. A post office was afterwards established at Euclid, in 1827. Jefferson Freeman was the first merchant at Euclid in 1831. Philo and Reuben Shef-
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fel, and George James, on lot 63; and David Moschell on lots 76 and 77; Abram Morgan on lot 61, and David Hamlin on lot 63, were all among the first settlers upon the lots upon which they now reside, having lived there more than forty years. Mrs. David Hamlin has always spun and wove all the cloth, of wool, cotton and linen, worn and used by her family of eight children, since her mar- riage, more than forty years ago, except one coat for Mr. Hamlin. They have no other kind in use now, though they have been burned out twice, losing nearly everything.
The first saw mill was erected by Abraham Young, on a small stream which afforded water to drive the mill only in the spring and fall. There are no streams in this town of sufficient capacity to be used to advantage for machinery of any kind. The only streams adjacent, of any power, are the Oneida River on the north, and the Seneca River on the west. The first house of worship was erected in the north-east part of the town, in what is called the Dutch Set- tlement, by a society of Dutch Reformed.
This, like the other towns in the northern section of the County, is fast improving, and bids fair to take rank among the first.
The census of 1865 gives a population of 3,060, and an area of 29,500 acres.
DE WITT, named from Moses De Witt, was formed from Manlius, April 12, 1835. A portion of Syracuse was annexed in 1858. It is an interior town, lying north-east of the center of the County. The north half is level, and the south half broken and hilly. The declivities of the hills are usually steep, and their sum- · mits are 500 to 700 feet above the valleys. Butternut Creek, flow- ing north, divides the highlands into two nearly equal ridges. Upon this stream are several fine mill sights. In the south-west corner, about one mile north-west of Jamesville, is a small lake, occupying a deep chasm in the rocks. It is nearly circular in form and about SO rods in diameter, and is surrounded by banks nearly 200 feet high. Another lake of a similar character lies two miles north- east of Jamesville. The falls below Jamesville are somewhat inter- esting as a curiosity. The water falls about 30 feet perpendicularly ; the breadth of the creek at the falls, is about forty feet. Its rocky chasm and sublime scenery, connected with the immense and inex- haustible beds of gypsum and water lime, and the extensive works for their manufacture, render this a very desirable place for the researches of the geologist or the rambles of the tourist. Messina Spring, a strong sulphur spring, north-west from the center of the town, has considerable local notoriety for medicinal qualities. The soil is a sand and clay loam in the north, and a sandy and gravelly loam in the south.
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GAZETTEER OF TOWNS.
Jamesville, (p. v.) in the south part of the town, contains three churches and several manufactories. The Orville (navigable) feed- er of the Erie Canal, and the Syracuse, Binghamton and New York R. R., afford ample facilities for transportation. The manufactories are two flouring mills, four plaster mills, a sash and blind factory, a cotton batting factory, and a wool carding mill. There is also a mill for washing carpets, and a pearl barley mill. It has about 85 houses. Orville, (De Witt p. o.) contains a church and about 30 houses. Collamer, ( p. o.) known as "Britton's Settlement," has two churches, a wagon shop and about 30 houses.
The first settler in the, town of DeWitt was Benjamin More- house, from Dutchess County. He arrived here 26th April, 1789, with a wife and three small children, settling a few rods west of the old church, three and a half miles west of Manlius village .- At that time it was called Kasoongkta Flats, afterwards Morehouse Flats. Moses DeWitt, from whom the town was named, was a descendant from an ancient, illustrious and honorable family of Holland, which at an early period emigrated to New York, a branch of it settling in Orange County. He was born October 15, 1766, in the town of Deer Park, formerly Peempack, on the bank of the Neversink, in the County of Orange. Although dying at the age of twenty-eight, he made his mark, and will be remembered forever in connection with the fortunes of the State of New York. For important services rendered the State, he received several thousand acres of land, and at his death was considered one of the largest landholders in Western New York. He was buried at Jam es- ville, where a marble slab marks his resting place.
Among other early settlers were Daniel Keeler, Dr. Holbrook, Jeremiah Jackson, Stephen Angel, Stephen Hungerford, John- Young, Jeremiah and James Gould, William Bends, Roger Merrill, Caleb Northrup and Benjamin Sanford, all of whom located in the town between 1790 and 1800. The first child born was Sarah Morehouse, Feb. 16th, 1790, and the first death was that of Egbert De Witt, May 30, 1793. Polly Hibbard taught the first school, in 1795 ; Benjamin Morehouse kept the first inn, in 1790; Asa Danforth built the first saw mill, in 1792, and the first grist mill in 1793.
The census of 1865 gives the town a population of 3,001, and an area of 23,400 acres. The number of school districts is 14; the whole number of teachers employed during the year, 27, and the number of pupils 1,035, with an average attendance of 364. The amount expended for school purposes in 1867 was $3,886.12.
ELBRIDGE was formed from Camillus, March, 26, 1829. It is the central town on the west border of the County. Its surface
1
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GAZETTEER OF TOWNS.
is level in the north and rolling in the south. Seneca River and Cross Lake form a part of the north boundary. Skaneateles Out- let flows north-west through the west part. Upon the banks of the Outlet, near the center, are found the peculiar tunnel-shaped cavities in the earth, characteristic of regions abounding in gypsum. Sev- eral week brine springs are found along Seneca River. The chan- nel of this river at Jack's Reefs has been deepened by the State, for the purpose of draining the Cayuga marshes. The work was com- menced in 1854, and finished in 1857, under the superintendence of Hon. George Geddes. More than 200,000 yards of rock cutting were removed, and the marshes were drained as far west as Mus- quito Point.
Elbridge, (p. v.) on Skaneateles Outlet, in the south-west part of the town, was incorporated April 1, 1848. It contains the Munro Collegiate Institute, three churches, a bank, a tub and pail factory, a bedstead factory, a straw board factory, a pearl barley mill, two saw mills and a grist mill. The tub and pail factory is quite ex- tensive, using about 300,000 feet of lumber, and making about 80,000 tubs, pails and half bushels annually. The straw-board establishment use about 600 tons of straw annually. The bedstead factory makes about 15,000 bedsteads, besides a large number of lounges and baby cribs. The flouring mill of J. Munro is doing a good business, with 21 runs of stones. The Munro Collegiate In- stitute, founded and endowed by the munificence of Nathan Munro, is in a flourishing condition, and has accommodations for 300 students. Population in 1865, 776.
Jordan, (p. v.,) situated on the Outlet, about three miles below Elbridge, has five churches, an academy, a bank, a printing office, several storehouses and manufactories. The wheelbarrow factory of Newell & Sperry is one of the largest in the country, making from 20,000 to 25,000 wheelbarrows, besides several thousand hand sleighs, annually. There is also a large coopering establish- ment here, and a foundry and machine shop, engaged chiefly in making pumps and threshing machines. The pearl barley mill, about half way between Elbridge and Jordan, uses about 40;000 bushels annually. Situated upon the canal and the N. Y. C. R. R., Jordan has excellent facilities for shipping its manufactures. The population of the village in 1865 was 1,541.
Peru (Jack's Reef p. o.,) has a church, a hotel and about a doz- en houses. Half Way is a station on the Auburn branch of the New York Central R. R. Junction, (Hart Lot p. o.,) is a wood station on the same road. California is a hamlet on the canal, two miles east of Jordan.
Josiah Buck, who surveyed the township of Camillus into lots in 1791, came to this town with his family in 1793, in a large wagon, and settled on a lot now owned by Col. John Munro. By order
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GAZETTEER OF TOWNS.
of Squire Munro, a large oak log was left without molestation for a number of years as a memorial of the place where the first set- tlement was made in the town. Mr. Buck and his family lived several weeks with no shelter but the forest, and the wagon served for kitchen, wardrobe, and sleeping apartments. Robert Fulton came into the town the same year, a little after, and James Strong in 1794. Col. Chandler and Dr. Pickard, an Indian root doctor, came soon after. A Mr. Potter was the first blacksmith in 1795, and James Weisner and Nicholas Mickles settled in the town in 1796. Isaac Strong erected a saw mill in 1796, and a grist mill in 1798. The inhabitants who first settled in this town had to go to Jamesville to mill. , William Stevens located here in 1794, and built a saw mill about a mile west of Elbridge. He also built a store and set up Dr. John Frisbie in it, in 1797, the first in town.
Mr. Levi Clark built the first frame school house in 1801. Jo- siah Buck kept the first tavern in town in 1793. Moses carpenter kept another soon after. William Stevens was the first justice of the peace, in 1794. The first church (Baptist,) was formed Dec. 30, 1816. Elder Craw was the first preacher. John Healy taught the first school, in 1801.
The first settlers in the vicinity of Jordan were Zenas and Aaron Wright, in 1797; Martin Tickner, Reynolds Corey, Isaac Smith, Jonathan Rowley and Jonathan Babcock came on the following year or soon after. The first town meeting was held in 1829, at the house of Horace Dodge.
The population of the town in 1865 was 4,318; and its area 22,200 acres.
FABIUS was formed from Pompey, March 9th, 1798. Tully was taken off in 1803, and a part of Truxton (Cortland Co.,) in 1808. It is the south-east corner town in the County. It has a general ele- vation of 1000 to 1200 feet above the level of the canal at Syra- cuse. The surface of the south half is broken by a series of ridges extending in a north and south direction, and separated by narrow valleys. South Hill, in the south-west corner, is the principal ele- vation. The central and northern parts are level or moderately hilly. The streams from the center flow south into the Tioughnioga, and those upon the east and west borders flow north into Limestone and Butternut Creeks. A small lake, known as " Labrador Pond," lies at the west foot of South Hill. The soil is generally a fine quality of gravelly loam, intermixed in places with clay and sand. Along the stream west of Fabius Village is considerable swamp land. From its elevation and the broken character of its surface, this town is best adapted to pasturage. Dairying is the principal occupation of the people, and in the amount of dairy products it is the first town in the State.
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GAZETTEER OF TOWNS.
Fubius (p. v.,) is situated on a small stream, a little north-east of the center of the town, and contains four churches, two schools, two hotels, a furnace and machine shop, a tannery, a grist mill, two manufactories of agricultural implements, and several other me- chanie shops and stores.
Amoug the manufactories of Fabius, the Agricultural Works of Bramer & Pierce, located in the east part of the village, deserve particular notice. In 1838, David Bramer, father of one of the present proprietors, built a small shop and commenced the manu- facture of horse powers, threshing machines, and agricultural im- plements generally. As his business increased he enlarged his works, and associated with him, at different times, all his sons, the old gentleman remaining at the head of the firm until 1861, when Frank Bramer bought out the business, stock, &c., and continued the manufacture until 1863, when he invented and built a mowing machine named the " Young Warrior," which has since become de- servedly popular. Many difficulties were encountered in perfect- ing and introducing to the public this mower, arising from the per- sistent and determined opposition of agents and others interested in the sale of other machines ; but notwithstanding their efforts, the " Young Warrior" has gradually worked its way into public favor, and now it is ranked as one of the best, if not the very best mower in use. In Dec. 1865, the old shop with all its additions was burned, and a new one built in 1866. The new shop is 78 feet by 30, and three stories high, with an L 24 by 40 feet, and the same height of the main building. During the past winter, quite exten- sive repairs and improvements have been made in the building and machinery, in order to meet the demand for the mower, which is the leading article of manufacture. The number of hands em- ployed in the establishment is from eighteen to twenty-five, and the value of the manufactures from $25,000 to $30,000 annually .- In the fall of 1867, Mr. E. D. Pierce purchased a half interest in the works, and the firm is now known as Bramer & Pierce. Both members of the firm are young men, who are determined to in- crease the reputation, already attained, of the "Young Warrior Mower," and of other articles of their manufacture, and also to en- large their works, as necessity may require to meet the ever in- ereasing demand.
Apulia, (p. v.,) situated in the western part, contains two churches, a school and about 35 houses. Apulia Station, (Summit Station, p. o.,) is a station on the S. B. & N. Y. R. R., containing two hotels, two wagon shops, a saw mill, a cheese box factory, and about a dozen houses. They are building a church. Gooseville is a hamlet in the north-east corner.
The first settlers were Josiah Moore aud Timothy Jerome, from Stockbridge, Mass., who came in 1794. The first church (Pres.)
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GAZETTEER OF TOWNS.
was formed at Apulia in 1804. The first church edifice erected was a Baptist, at Fabius village, in 1806. Among other early settlers were Capt. Ebenezer Belden, Col. E. St. John, Thomas Miles, Jonathan Stanley, Abel Webster, James Harris, John Wallace and Abel Pixley. The first child born was Charles Moore, in 1798. The first marriages were that of Abel Webster and Lydia Keeney, and of Luther St. John and Polly Joy, in 1804; and the first death that of Josiah Moore, in 1802. A colored man, belonging to Simeon Keeney, died about the same time, from drinking too much maple syrup. The first school was taught by Miss Jerome, in the east part of the town; she afterwards became the wife of Hon. James Geddes. Eunice Fowler taught a school near Apulia, in 1802- 03. The first inn was kept by Josiah Tubbs, near Tully, in 1797, and by Capt. St. John in 1802. David Caldwell kept the first store, in 1804; Thomas Miles built the first saw mill in 1800, and John Meeker the first grist mill, in 1808.
The census of 1865 gives the town a population of 2,201 and an area of 30,000 acres. There are nineteen school districts, and the whole number of teachers employed is thirty-two. The whole number of pupils is 680, and the average attendance 225. The amount expended for school purposes in 1867 was $2,734.47.
GEDDES was named from the Hon. James Geddes, and was formed from Salina, March 18, 1848. It lies on the west bank of . Onondaga Lake, a little north of the center of the County. Its sur- face is level in the north and rolling in the south. Seneca River forms the north boundary, and Onondaga Creek a part of the east. Nine Mile Creek flows east through near the center. The soil is a clayey and sandy loam. Near the south-west extremity of the lake are several salt wells. The first salt well was dug by James Geddes in 1796. The Indians claimed the springs west of the lake, and their laws did not permit a stranger to occupy or own them, but to get over the difficulty and receive the presents from Mr. Geddes, they adopted him into their tribe; thus bearing the Indian name of Don-da-dah-quah, which signifies " the place where canoes discharge their freight," he was entitled to own and use the salt.
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