USA > New York > St Lawrence County > Gazetteer and business directory of St. Lawrence County, N.Y. for 1873-4 > Part 24
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"* * * Much pains is taken by some people upon the other side of the river, to inspire a belief that the Indians will be employed by the British government, and their numbers are immensely magnified. This, as is natural, frightens the old women, and the anxiety and commotion among them is astonishing. Many are for flying immediately, whilst others are so frightened they do not know which way to run. This constant theme of fear originating with the women, puts the d-1 into some of the men, and some among them are becoming as old-womanish as the women themselves. These men I abuse for their cowardice, and the women's fears I soothe, but I fear all my exertions will be in vain, for it is incredi- ble what frightful stories are going upon this subject. * * * What makes
latter to locate at Morristown, under promise of a gift of one mile square, but through Mr. Parish's representations of the superior advantages of Ogdensburg he was prevailed upon to embark in a mercantile business in company with David M. Lewis, who was private secretary of Mr. Parish. For several years an extensive business was done, but they became in- volved through an unfortunate speculation in western produce. Mr. Parish discharged their obligations and again offered to establish Mr. Rosseel in business, or give him the general agency for the sale of his lands. Mr. Rosseel chose the latter trust and discharged it until incapacitated for its duties, when he was retired upon a gratuity from Mr. George Parish, who managed the business after his brother's departure to Europe.
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this war-whoop more particularly disadvantageous to us at this time, is the event which we have so long anticipated being upon the eve of taking place, of this becoming the place of a depot instead of Kingston. Two of the principal merchants residing at the head of the lake, called upon me when on their way down the river with their produce, to know if arrangements could not be made for receiving and forwarding their prod- uce to market, provided they should be able to contract with the owners, so as to make it their interest to come to Ogdensburg, instead of Kingston. I told them I was not prepared at that moment to answer them de- cisively, but if they would call upon me upon their way up, I would by that time make an estimate, and give them an answer what I could do the business for. Last week they called, and we found no difficulty in agree- ing upon the price of forwarding, but they found this war business would interfere."
Early in 1809 two companies under command of Captains Sam'l Cherry and Thos. Anderson were stationed at Ogdensburg, to enforce non-intercourse under the embargo. They occupied temporary barracks for their use, and succeeded in making themselves exceedingly odious to the citizens as appears from the following extract from Hough's History of St. Lawrence and Franklin Counties:
"These two companies of troops are represented as the worst set of men that ever lived, and were charged with being needlessly officious in search- ing persons crossing the river, which led to jealousies that almost ripened into hostility with the citizens. The latter, for their own protection, or- ganized a nightly patrol to protect their gardens and hen roosts, and thus between the preservation of national and personal rights, the village bore the discipline of a camp, until to the great joy of the citizens the newsar- rived that the soldiers were to be withdrawn. This was too desirable an event to pass unnoticed, and preparations were made to celebrate it, which coming to the knowledge of the other party, an attempt was made in the night time to seize an old French cannon belonging to the village, which was to be fired on their departure, and to throw it from the bridge into the river. The plot was discovered, and the party sent was arrested by the citizen guard and in the morning marched back to their quarters, and released at the solicitation of their officers. As they were leaving, a citizen, who went down to their boats to recover some stolen property, was seized and thrown overboard, which instantly raised an excitement, and as they left, they were followed by the hootings and cries of the irritated crowd. The old iron cannon, and the discordant music of a hundred tin horns with as many cow bells, assisted in expressing the general satisfaction."*
The first school in Ogdensburg is believed to have been opened in 1809, in the barracks erected for the troops stationed there that year. It was kept by Richard Hubbard from Charles- ton, N. H. It was subsequently removed to a dwelling house, and a school house was soon after erected.
In 1805 Truman Bristol, and families named Jones, Havens and Osborne, made small improvements at Heuvelton, and in the fall of 1806 Jairus Remington, a native of Massachusetts, and formerly a Presbyterian minister, came from Putney, Vt., with his family, by way of the Black River country, and com-
* For the principal events of local interest connected with the war of 1812, the reader is referred to pages 82-7.
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menced keeping a public house here on the left bank of the river, upon the site of the present residence of John Pickens. Mr. Remington had previously visited the town several times and was induced by Judge Ford to establish an inn here for the accommodation of the travelers and emigrants who were coming into the county by the New State road then newly opened. Judge Pinney settled here with his family in 1808. Some of the members of this family are buried in the south- east corner of the lot now owned by Mrs. Mary Ross, on Lisbon street. A family named Redfield settled here soon after Mr. Pinney, and Alvin Simons is said to have settled here in 1810. David Burroughs, from Shaftsbury, Vt., father of Mrs. Wm. Thurston, who is now living in Heuvelton, settled in that village in 1811, at which time there were only three dwellings there. The settlements at this point increased but little until 1820, when Jacob A. Vanden Heuvel,* from New York, having purchased a large tract of land, including the site of the village, inaugurated sundry improvements, which soon at- tracted new settlers and rapidly increased the population .. A saw mill and dam had been constructed several years previously by Mr. Remington. The first school was taught here by Dyer Badger in a very small shanty in the winter of 1808. The first grist mill was completed in 1824, and Alpheus Wright, father of E. L. Wright, who still resides here, was the first miller. Dr. S. N. Sherman, the first physician, located here in 1825, and Dr. Lewis Samburn, now a resident, in 1826. Nathan Ford Griffin was the first tanner and is the oldest man living in the town who was born here.
The Oswego canal opened the first direct avenue to market from Ogdensburg, and the Welland Canal and Ogdensburg & Lake Champlain R. R. conferred much benefit by developing its commerce and opening the lands of the county to rapid settlement. The existing and projected railroad connections ensure its future prosperity.
The first religious exercises were conducted by the Methodists in 1793. Meetings were occasionally held at the fort in Ogdensburg, while it was still occupied by the British, by circuit preachers. But the first organiza- tion was effected by the Presbyterians. Extracts from the correspondence between Judge Ford and Samuel Ogden, taken from Hough's History of St. Lawrence and Franklin Counties, so lucidly explain the measures which led to the organization of this society that we cannot do better than quote.
* Jacob A. Van Heuvel was of Dutch descent. His father, John Vanden Heuvel, emigrated from Holland to New York, in 1792, having previously resided several years in the Dutch colony of Demarara in Guiana, of which he was for some time the Governor. The village was named in compli- ment to Jacob Van Heuvel, who was authorized to change his name from Vanden Heuvel to Van Heuvel, by an act of the Legislature passed Feb. 8, 1832.
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In a letter of November 29, 1804, Col. Ogden wrote to Judge Ford, as follows :
" 'You have added hereto the state of my attempt to effect the establishment of a clergyman with you. From what has passed it seems pretty certain that one will visit you with my letter, on the receipt of which I pray you do every thing in your power to establish him with you, render his visit as pleasing as possible, show him as extensive an annuity as possible. Will not Tibbets and others from the other townships, as well as from the other side of the river, contribute towards his establishment ? Iam certain noth- in" will promote our object more than the settlement of a proper clergyman and erection of a church. The following is a copy of my letter to you which I have left with the bishop, dated New York, 23d November : "My desire that a church should early be established at Ogdensburg, has induced me to wait on bishop Moore, and some other of the clergy of this place, desiring that a clergyman might be induced to make you a visit , under the belief that having explored the town, situation, &c., he will be desirous of becoming a resident with you.
''The following are the proposals I have made : Samuel Ogden proposes to have two town lote laid out in the town, near the church and court house lots, one to be held as a parsonage, and conveyed for its use, the other to be conveyed in fee simple to the first clergyman who shall reside in town, and perform Episcopal duties therein, for the term of ten years. One farm shall be also laid out in the vicinity of the town as a parsonage, to be conveyed for the use of the church, also a convenient lot in town whereon to build a church, and for a burying ground. The bishop has presented you with two dozen prayer books. How shall I send them.'
"This was rather an unwelcome duty to impose upon Judge Ford, who was a zealous Presbyterian, and the story is related as authentic, that he was so determined to establish one of this denomination, that he declared he would go to h-Il for one rather than be disappointed. The ingenious manner in which he answered the above letter is worthy of perusal. It forms a part of a long letter dated Jan. 11 1805."
" ' I confess I feel much embarrassment in answering that part of your letter which relates to the establishing of a clergyman. Not because I do not think your arrange- ments judicial and liberal, but because there are local considerations which claim to be deliberately and cautiously examined, for however much this measure may partake of yours and my wish, I fear our interest will be materially affected by it at this time, because the whole emigration to this country is, and has been, with very few exceptions, Presbyterian, and this summer pains have been taken to settle a clergyman in Lisbon, of that denomination. A visible spring has been given to emigration in that town in consequence of it. Our neighbors are pursuing that kind of policy which comports with the feelings and wishes of the people in this respect, by which they expect to profit, and they will. . The moment a measure should be pursued, which had the shadow of appearance to direct the religious opinions of the people, (no matter how pure our motives may be,) jealousies will be excited, and uneasiness created. It is not necessary for me to tell you how quick the sensibility of people [is] engaged when their religious notions and prejudices are touched; reason loses its force, and passion and rancor are the only visible features. Since Lisbon has settled their clergyman, our people are anxious to have one also. The idea has been much pressed and much urged by them, and they have determined to have one, but he must be a Presbyterian. I have suggest- ed our idea, but it will not take. The question now is whether we shall find it our interest to resist their wishes and the wishes of those who it is probable will come to our settlement, or whether it will not be better to let them follow their own prejudices, and please themselves in their religious pursuits. It unquestionably must be the means of casting a double emigration into Lisbon, and this I make no doubt, has ope- rated as a reason for the haste with which Lisbon has settled their clergyman. We shall find it our interest to move in this thing with caution, and not hastily take a step which our neighbors will gain in proportion as we lose, by a wrong move upon the chess board. We stand delicately situated at this time. There are those whose interest it is to take every advantage of any unguarded measure we may pursue, for however much there is of harmony and good understanding in the country at this time, there are jealousies and secret feelings in the breasts of some people in this world, on account of the court house. I have now and then heard them echoed in whispers. There was no belief the exertion which has been made would have been to have the court house built. It is certain that edifice was considered as a thing which might be visible seven years hence, but it is now fixed by law ; consequently all hope of changing its situation has vanished. This circumstance gives us an evident advantage of the other towns, and they will naturally for a time, feel jealousies, for they are natural upon such occasions ; and if by any means we should excite a religious clamor, we must expect advantage to be taken of it, in which case we shall lose more than we shall gain. I conceive this would be the case for the purpose of counteracting the advantage we now hold. As [tor] any assistance from our neighbors on the opposite shore, it is out of the question, for they are universally Scotch Presbyterians or Methodists. As for -, he never gave a farthing in his life for the support of any clergyman ; he holds all alike in equal contempt. No assistance can reasonably be calculated upon from without, and want
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of accordance within our settlement must and will beget an expense which will not be favorable to our interests, for we cannot calculate upon more than a mere trifle from the settlers, if any thing at all. It is only necessary for you to ask yourself what success it is probable you would meet with were you to set a subscription on foot to be subscribed by Presbyterians and Methodists, for the support of a church of England clergyman ? There are few who are better able to answer this question than yourself, for your knowledge of the exciting of prejudices which attach to different sects, is such as will enable you to make a prompt decision. I have tried to comprise my ideas upon this subject in as concise a manner as possible, and shall conclude them by observing that circumstanced as we are, whether it would be good policy to take any step upon this subject at present, but leave the people to act for themselves. * * " ' Believe me to be with warmest affection, your friend, N. FORD.' "
In a letter dated Oct. 26, 1805, Judge Ford after referring to that part of a previous letter, from which the above is an ex- tract, wrote :
" Finding them determined to get one of the Presbyterian order, and their minds being fully bent upon that object, I concluded it was proper for me not to oppose, but fall in with their views, and take such a lead in the business as to prevent their getting a poor character who would probably be a harm rather than advantage to the settlement. Under this impression, I have united with them in giving a call to a Mr. Younglove, a gentleman of education and abilities, and who has been the first tutor of the college at Schenectada for three years. His recommendations are highly honorable. He has spent six weeks with us, but has now returned to his friends in Washington county, and expects to be back in February. I have suggested to him the idea of taking charge of an academy here. An institution, I make no scruple, will answer well, for there is no such thing in Canada short of Montreal. If I can succeed in effecting this ob- ject, which at present I make no doubt of, it will be the means of adding much reputation to this place, and particularly so, by having it under the guidance of a man who has already established a reputation as a teacher. Our court-room will afford good accommodations for the present." *
These measures resulted in the formation of the "First Church and Congregation of Christ, in the town of Oswegatchie," Oct. 10, 1805, with Nathan Ford, John Lyon, Aaron Welton, Louis Hasbrouck and Thomas J. Davies, trustees.
The First Baptist Church of the City of Ogdensburg was organized with nine members, by Rev. Samuel Rowley, June 30, 1809. A church edifice was erected in 1831, at a cost of $4,000; was enlarged in 1854; and rebuilt in 1871. It is located on State street, and will seat 375 persons. The first pastor was Rev. Jonathan Payne; the present one is Rev. Henry W. Barnes. The Society numbers 204 members. Its property is valued at $25,000.+
The First Presbyterian Church, at Ogdensburg, was organized with eighteen members, (nine males and nine females,) Dec. 8, 1819, by Rev. Barnabas Bruen, its first pastor, and was incorporated June 1, 1820 .¿ The first church edifice was erected in 1820; the present one, in 1866, at a cost of about $50,000. It will seat 1200 persons. The Society, numbering 475,
* Notwithstanding this early effort to establish so desirable an institu- tion at Ogdensburg, the project was not accomplished until 1834, on the 8th of October of which year Taylor Lewis, of Waterford, was appointed the first principal, with a salary of $600. The academy was incorporated April 20, 1835, and was established in the old St. Lawrence House building, which was erected in 1819, and purchased-the village of Ogdensburg con- tributing $1,000. There is now no academic institution in Ogdensburg independent of the public schools.
+ Information furnished by Rev. Henry W. Barnes, the pastor.
# The first trustees were N. Ford, T. Lyon, Duncan Turner, Joseph Rosseel, Wolcott Hubbell and Wm. I. Guest.
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is under the pastoral care of Rev. L. Merrill Miller, D. D. The Church property is valued at $75,000 .*
St. John's Church, (Episcopal) at Ogdensburg, was organized May 3, 1820. The first church edifice was erected in 1821; the present one, in 1871, at a cost of $70,000. It will seat 1,000 persons. The first rector was Rev. Amos G. Baldwin; the present one is Rev. H. W. Beers. S. T. D. There are 300 members. The Church property is valued at $80,000.+
The Second Presbyterian Church of Oswegatchie was organized with twenty-three members, by Rev. James McAuley, in 1823. Their house of worship, which will seat 350 persons, was erected in 1837, at a cost of $1,100. There are ninety-three members. The first pastor was Rev. James Rodgers ; the present one is Rev. James Cleland. The Church property is valued at $4,000 .¿
The M. E. Church, at Heuvelton, was organized in 1826, with twenty members, by Revs. Joseph Brooks and Wm. W. Rundell, the latter of whom was the first pastor. Their first house of worship was erected in 1843. In 1870 the present edifice, which will seat 500 persons, was erected at a cost of $10,000. The present number of members is 140. The present pastor is Rev. Geo. G. Dains. The Church property is valued at $12,500. The first Sabbath school of this denomination in Heuvelton was organized in 1832. John Cobb was the first Superintendent.§
The Second M. E. Church of Oswegatchie was organized in 1832, by Rev. Joel Emms, its first pastor. A house of worship was erected in 1841, at a cost of $1,000. It will seat 260 persons. There are twenty-four members who are ministered to by Rev. Charles Arnold. The Church property is valued at $2,000. The church edifice is located on the Black Lake road, five miles from Ogdensburg.Il
The First M. E. Church, at Ogdensburg, was organized with fifty mem- bers, in 1833, by Rev. Wm. Gill, the first pastor, as far as the records show. The first house of worship was erected about the same year, the present one, about 1850, at a cost of $12,000. It will seat 600 persons. There are 300 members. The present pastor is Rev. E. C. Bruce. The Church property is valued at $15,000.T
The First Congregational Society of Heuvelton was organized by G. T. Howard, A. M. Gray, E. Kate, J. Pickens and A. H. McMurphy, Sept. 26, 1842; was reorganized July 3, 1850, and again reorganized April 5, 1859, and changed to the First Presbyterian Church. Rev. B. B. Parsons was the first pastor. The church edifice was erected in 1844. It will seat 200 per- sons. The Society is without a pastor. The Church property is valued at $1,200 .**
The First Universalist Society of Oswegatchie, at Heuvelton, was or- ganized with forty members, by Josephus Briggs, the first pastor, April 16, 1842, and reorganized Sept. 26, 1842, and April 15, 1843. The church edifice was erected in 1829 by Jacob Van Heuvel, for the Episcopalians, but was never much used by that denomination, and subsequently passed into the hands of the Universalists. It cost $3,000, and will seat 400 per-
* Information derived from Rev. L. M. Miller, D. D., the pastor, and Hough's History of St. Lawrence and Franklin Counties.
+ Information furnished by Rev. H. W. Beers, S. T. D., the rector.
¿ Information furnished by Rev. James Cleland, the pastor.
§ Information furnished by Rev. Geo. G. Dains, the pastor. | Information furnished by Ransom Lovejoy.
T Information furnished by Rev. E. C. Bruce, the pastor, who says: "For lack of available data some of the above answers are indefinite, and may vary somewhat from the exact truth."
** Information furnished by D. S. Giffin.
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sons. There are sixty members in the Society, but it is without a pastor. The property of the Church is valued at $5,000 .*
St. John the Baptist's Church, (French Catholic,) at Ogdensburg, was organized with 2,000 members, April 24, 1859, by Rev. J. B. Lemercier, the first pastor. Their house of worship will seat 1,500 persons. It was built in 1862, at a cost of $50,000. The Society has increased in number to 3,000, and is under the spiritual tutelage of Rev. Geo. Jaennotte. The Church property is valued at $70,000.+
Anshe Zophon (Israelitic Synagogue) was organized with twenty-five members in September, 1865, in which year their place of worship, in the Granite Block, on Ford street, Ogdensburg, was rented. It will seat seventy persons. Rev. H. Eliassof, the present pastor, was the first "legal " pastor. He entered upon the duties of that office Feb. 1, 1872. There are thirty-five members. The Church property is valued at about $500 .*
St. Mary's Church, (Catholic,) at Ogdensburg, was incorporated Nov. 29, 1848, and the church edifice was erected in 1852, by the Very Rev. James V. G. Mackey, the present pastor. It will seat about 1,000 persons.
PARISHVILLES was formed from Hopkinton, April 15, 1818.| Colton was taken off April 12, 1843, and another small portion was annexed to that town Nov. 18, 1851. It lies principally between the Racket and St. Regis rivers, east of the center of the county, and contains 60,660 acres. The surface in the northern and central parts is quite level and has a moderate slope toward the north, but the south part is broken and hilly and nearly covered with forests. The soil is a deep, rich loam in the north, but in the south it is light and sandy, and unfit for cultivation. The principal streams are Racket and St. Regis rivers.
The population of the town in 1870 was 2,241, of whom 1,976 were native, 265, foreign and all, except one, white.
During the year ending Sept. 30, 1872, the town contained fifteen school districts and employed fifteen teachers. The
* Information derived from L. Samburn and Hough's History of St. Lawrence and Franklin Counties.
+ Information furnished by Rev. Geo. Jaennotte, the pastor.
¿ Information furnished by Rev. H. Eliassof, the pastor.
§ Named from David and Geo. Parish who owned large tracts of land in this county, and who endeared themselves to their tenants and those with whom they came in contact by uniform courtesy, tender sympathy, kind indulgence and enlightened liberality, It originally embraced the town- ships of Sherwood, Harewood, Granshuck, Matildavale, Wick, Cookham and the west third of Catharineville, in Great Lot No. II. of Macomb's Purchase.
I The first town meeting was held at the house of Thomas C. Colbun, April 5, 1814, and Daniel W. Church was elected Supervisor; Abijah Abbott, Town Clerk; Stephen Goodman, Ira Ransom and Daniel Rock- well, Assessors ; Ephraim Smith, Collector; Abel Brown, Peter Mahew and Elisha Brooks, Commissioners of Highways and Fence Viewers; Ephraim Smith and Matthew Wallace, Constables; Jonathan M. Derby and Stephen Paddock, Poor Masters ; and Russell Foot, Pound Keeper.
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number of children of school age was 659; the number attend- ing school, 522; the average attendance, 283; 'the amount expended for school purposes, $2,771.36; and the value of school houses and sites, $5,870.
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