USA > New York > Jefferson County > Genealogical and family history of the county of Jefferson, New York, Volume I > Part 4
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Colonel Camp has been identified with the Presbyterian church of Sackett's harbor from his childhood, and it has been constantly the ob- ject of his solicitude and generosity. In 1879 he built a handsome chapel which he presented to the society as a Christmas gift, and at a later day he expended his means and gave his personal care to the construction of a church tower for the reception of a chime of nine bells, the gift of Virs. Marietta Pickering Hay, of Tarrytown. This gift was intended by the donor to be a memorial to her father, Captain Augustus Picker- ing, an old-time mariner, who commanded the first vessel that ever en- tered the port of Chicago. Another gift of Colonel Camp was so char- acteristic of the man that it need be here mentioned. Narration has been previously made of his subscriptions to railroad construction. These were not made with expectation of direct return, and the unselfish mo-
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tives which governed him in the matter are attested by the fact that, when the road was sold and returns were made to the subscribers of the build- ing fund, Colonel Camp donated his share to the Presbyterian Church Society as a fund in perpetuity for repairing the church edifice and for the purchase of books for the Sunday school library.
Colonel Camp has never married, but he has for many years main- tained a splendid home. His place of residence is the mansion and grounds formerly owned and occupied by Commodore Melancthon T. Woolsey, which came to the Camp family in 1844. Here Colonel Camp has entertained his friends with a generous and refined hospitality, which affords a real significance to a phrase which he has ever held in honor : "Whatever we possess is doubly valuable when we are so fortunate as to share it with others." Possessed of genuine musical tastes and ability, his home is adorned with numerous beautiful instruments, upon one of which, particularly, the flute, he is an expert performer. He has trav- eled much, in Europe, as well as in America, and has collected many rare and interesting volumes, works of art and curios. Now in his eighty-second year, serene in recollections of a well spent life, which has been a benediction upon those within the sphere of his influence, he can well realize, in all its delightful fullness, the meaning of the poet's phrase. :
"My mind to me a kingdom is; Such perfect joy therein I find As far exceeds all earthly bliss That God or nature has assign'd."
HUNGERFORD. This name belongs to one of the oldest families in America, and is borne by numerous residents of Jefferson county. It has been conspicuous in the annals of many states, and its representatives have participated in the development of civilization, as pioneers, patriots and in all lines of business and professional endeavor.
(I) The family had for its first American ancestor Thomas Hun- ยท gerford, an Englishman. He was presumably a mariner, for his name does not appear on any ship's list as a passenger. He was at Hartford, Connecticut, prior to 1639. The records of the colony do not show that he was an original proprictor to whom lands were divided in fee, but he acquired land of some proprietor or was granted "lottes to have onely at the towne's courtesie." He resided on what is now Main street, in the city of Hartford, and undoubtedly built the house in which he lived. Early in 1650 he sold his Hartford property and removed to New Lon-
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don, Connecticut, where he died in 1663. The inventory of his estate shows him to have been a husbandman. His first wife, whose name is unknown, bore him two children -- Thomas (further referred to herein- after) and Sarah. Sarah was born in 1654, and married Lewis Hughes, of Lyme, Connecticut. The second wife of Thomas Hungerford was Hannah, daughter of Isaac Willey, of New London, and to them was born one child, Hannah, May 1, 1659, who married a Ross or Rose, of Rhode Island.
(II) Thomas, only son of Thomas Hungerford, was born in Hartford, 1647, and was presumably the first of the family name born in America. About 1688 he removed to Haddam, Connecticut, where (December 20, 1697) he was chosen collector, and at a town meeting (December 27, 1698) was chosen townsman and "sovaire." He was a farmer or nail-maker. His homestead was in the south part of the pres- ent town of East Haddam, about a half mile east of the Connecticut river, a quarter of a mile north of Lyme, his home standing at the cor- ner of the road, and the property was in the possession of his descend- ants as recently as 1839. He married, prior to June 6, 1671, Mary Gray, of Narragansett, Rhode Island. He died in January, 1713-14, aged about sixty-six years, and was buried in the first burial ground in the present town ; a gravestone bearing the initials, "T. H.," is supposed to mark his grave. His wife survived him, but the date of her death is un- known. Their children were: I. Thomas M., of whom further. 2. John M., who married Deborah Spencer. 3. Green M., who married Jemima Richardson. 4. Elizabeth M., who married Joseph Gates. 5. Susannah M., who married Samuel Church. 6. Sarah M., who married Nathaniel Cone. 7. Mary M., who married Stephen Cone. 8. Easter M., who married Saumel Gates.
(III) Thomas M., eldest child of Thomas and Mary (Gray) Hungerford, was born in New London, Connecticut, in 1670 or 1671, and died at East Haddam, Connecticut, in 1743. He married Elizabeth Smith, who bore him eight children: I. Hannah, born August 16, 1700, died 1781 ; married ( first) Samuel Ackley, Jr., and ( second ) David Gates. 2. Thomas, born July II, 1702, died November 12, 1786; he married Margaret Stewart, who died February 16, 1787. 3. Benjamin, of whom further. 4. Elizabeth, born December 4, 1707, baptized April II, 1708. 5. David, probably born in 1710, baptized May 21, 1710, died about 1755 ; he married Sarah -. 6. Samuel, died in infancy. 7. Jonathan, baptized April 17, 1715, died about 1771 ; he married Mar-
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tha Wells. S. John, born March 4, 1718, baptized May 4, 1718, died December 15, 1787 ; he married his cousin, Deborah, daughter of John Hungerford.
(IV) Benjamin, third child and second son of Thomas M. and Elizabeth (Smith) Hungerford, was born in East Haddam, Connecti- cut, December 15. 1705, baptized May 5. 1706. He lived in Millington Society, on land deeded to him by his father, adjoining that of his brother, David. Early in 1748 he removed to New Cambridge, in Farm- ington (now Bristol, Connecticut) and lived on what is now West street. He married, in 1730, his cousin Jemima, a daugliter of Green Hungerford; they died, respectively, February 1, 1790, and June I, 1769; they were buried in the South burying ground at Bristol, Con- necticut, but there is no known grave mark left. They were the parents of eleven children : 1. Prudence, born August 4, 1731, married Eleazor Gaylord, January 4, 1749, and died in July, 1804. 2. Mathew, born May, 1733, married Rachel Spencer, February 26, 1756, and died May, 1809; they had eleven children. 3. Jemima, born May, 1735, died August, 1757. 4. Rachel, born May, 1737, died October 30, 1828, aged ninety-two, she married Jesse Gaylord, August 30, 1756. 5. Lydia, born June 5, 1739, died November 25, 1812, aged seventy-three years ; she married Jabez Bacon, about 1759. 6. Benjamin, born May, 1741, died September 4, 1775; he married Kesia Walker. 7. Stephen, born May, 1743, died June 7. 1814, aged seventy-one. S. Susanna, born July, 1745, died July, 1771 ; she married Jonathan Pond. 9. Timothy, of whom further; 10. Jacob, born July 16, 1749, died June 23, 1812; he married Mary Newell, December 13, 1770. II. Mary, born July, 1751, died August 22, 1823, aged seventy-two years ; she married Thomas Hart.
(V) Timothy, ninth child and fourth son of Benjamin and Jemima (Hungerford) Hungerford, was born at the Millington homestead in East Haddam, Connecticut, April, 1747, and was baptized at the Milling- ton church, Connecticut, May 31, 1747. He lived (until about 1800) on land deeded to him by his father February 9, 1769, in Farmington, Connecticut, now Bristol. He then removed to Paris, Oneida county, New York, and in the spring of 1804 to Watertown, New York. He died December 5, 1827. in his eighty-first year. He was married at Bristol, January 21, 1772, by the Rev. Samuel Newell, to Hannah Hei- cox, who was born in 1749, and died September 28, 1827, in her seventy- ninth year. They were the parents of seven children: I. Nancy, who
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married Josiah Bradnar, and died March 1, 1843. 2. Hannah, born September 13, 1777, 111 Bristol, died October 16, 1826, in Watertown, while the wife of Jabez Foster. 3. Anson, born September 21, 1779, clied July 12, 1864, aged eighty-five years; he married Sarah P. Coe, in 1802. 4. Timothy, of whom further. 5. Lorrain, died May 10, 1835; she married Daniel Brainard, 1806. 6. Dexter, born 1789. died March 2, 1854; he married Marrette Burr. 7. Orville, mentioned at length below.
(VI) Timothy, fourth child and second son of Timothy and Han- nah (Heicox) Hungerford, was born in Bristol, October 16, 1781. About 1800 he removed with his father to Paris, Oneida county, New York. In the spring of 1804 he removed to Watertown, Jefferson county, New York, and afterward settled at Watertown Center, where he culti- vated a farm and kept an inn until his death, November 14, 1857. He married (first) Mary Richardson, born November 14, 1785, died August 20, 1841. Their children were George, Edwin, Truman, Mary, Jabez Foster, William and Mary Ann. His second wife was Nancy Atherton.
(VII) Edwin, second of the five sons of Timothy and Mary ( Rich- ardson) Hungerford, was born at Watertown Center, New York, April 13, 1809, and died at Evans Mills, New York, August 5, 1891, aged eighty-two years and four months. He married (first), January 30, 1829, Catherine Ferrel, who was born in 1810 and died in February, 1835. September 1, 1840, he married (second) Laura M. Haskins, who was born April 17, 1817, and died February 3, 1863. The children of his first marriage were: 1. Mary Ann, born October 16, 1830, mar- ried Portal Barney, of Henderson, New York, in December, 1852; he died in January, 1863, leaving children : Kate Louise, born November, 1853; Daniel L., born February 26, 1856. 2. Sarah Ann, born January 16, 1832, died May 6, 1891. She married David Briant, of Le Ray, New York, in December, 1852, and to them was born Henry Elbert, in Sep- tember, 1855. 3. Elbert.
By his second marriage Edwin Hungerford was the father of five children : I. Edwin Oscar, born at Evans Mills, July 5, 1841 ; married Anna Cook. 2. Alice Adelaide, born at Evans Mills, September 10, 1845; married Henry Morris. 3. Ella Jennie, born at Evans Mills, September 6, 1847. 4. Lelia Ione, born at Evans Mills, April 9, 1850; married Carleton Clifford, of Rochester, New York. 5. Arthur Eugene, born at Evans Mills, February 12, 1852; married Jennie B. Porter, of Lowville, New York.
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(VIII) Elbert, third child and second son of Edwin and Cathe- rine (Ferrel) Hungerford, was born March 16, 1834. He married, Au- gust 16, 1859, Emily Frances Orr, of Pulaski, New York, who was born in Richland, Oswego county, New York, February 26, 1841, and they now ( 1904) reside at Evans Mills, New York. Ten children were born of this marriage: I. Elva E., born in Watertown, New York, June 21. 1860: married Walter Howland, at Evans Mills, April 2, 1891. 2. Burt Orr, born July 4, 1861, died June 25, 1862. 3. James Montrose, of whom further. 4. Catherine Blanche, born at Le Ray, New York, De- cember 9. 1865, and married Stannard Butler, of Pottsdam, New York. 5. Lyla Frances, born July 5, 1867. 6. Stella Cor- nelia, born September 8, 1869, and married Fred Howland, a supervisor of Rutland, New York. 7. Ferrel William, born August 11, 1874, died May 15, 1882. 8. Rexel Porter, born April 25, 1877, died May 12, 1882. 9. Ruth Mabel, born November 8, 1882. 10. Frank Elbert, born February 26, 1886.
(IX) James Montrose, third child and second son of Elbert and Emily Frances (Orr) Hungerford, was born at Le Ray, New York, June 26, 1863. He passed his early years at Evans Mills, where he began his education, which was completed in the high school in Watertown. He learned the trade of tinsmith, and afterward that of plumber. In 1883 he located in Clayton, where he took the position of foreman in Atwood Brothers' plumbing shops, and rendered most useful and accept- able service in that capacity for a period of five years. He then (in 1888) opened an establishment of his own, which he has conducted with grat- ifying success to the present time. One of the largest stores of its char- acter in this section, it is stocked with a full line of all goods found in a first-class hardware emporium, together with all materials needed for plumbing of the most serviceabie and modern description. Mr. Hunger- ford is a member of the Congregational church, and in politics is a Re- publican. He is a member of Clayton Lodge of Odd Fellows.
Mr. Hungerford married, March 26, 1890, at Clayton, Miss Irene Johnston, who was born in that place, a daughter of Simon G. Johnston, of whom a sketch appears elsewhere in this work. Of this marriage was born one child, Stanley G., born in Clayton, May 29, 1896.
(VI) Dexter, sixth child and third son of Timothy and Hannah (Heicox) Hungerford, was born in 1789, in Farmington, Connecticut, and died March 2, 1854, in Brownville. He was a farmer and hotel- keeper, and kept the old inn at Brownville many years. A lover of
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good horses, which he successfully reared, he was among the original members of the Jefferson County Agricultural Society and always sup- ported it, as he did other progressive enterprises. He exemplified the business sagacity and industry which have ever been characteristics of the family, and was a successful man. His wife, Mariette Burr, was a member of the famous old American family, whose name has been per- petuated in this county by the village of Burrville. They had three sons and a daughter. Elbert Valentine, the eldest, lived and died in Jefferson county. Solon D., the second, is mentioned at length herein- after. Delia became the wife of Harlow Kimball and lived in Water- town, Chicago and California, her life ending in that State. Naman B. was many years connected with the Jefferson County Bank, and died in Watertown.
GENERAL SOLON DEXTER HUNGERFORD, whose history is so intimately connected with that of Jefferson county, and especially of the town of Adams, belongs to a family whose genealogy can be traced for at least two centuries. Thomas Hungerford came from the parish of Shetford, England, thirty or forty miles from London, and went to Hartford, Connecticut. before the year 1639. Mention is made of a descendant of the same name in the Hartford State Records, and in look- ing over the American Archives we find that one John P. Hungerford was an officer in the Revolution, and member of congress from 1813 to 1817, and died at Turford, Virginia, at the age of seventy-four.
At the head of the fifth generation we have Dexter Hungerford, who married Marietta Burr, to whom were born five children. The history of the Burr branch of the family is a remarkable one, including the famous Aaron Burr, and other men of genius.
The third of this family, S. D. Hungerford, was born March 12, 1808. His earliest home was on a farm in Watertown. He entered the drygoods store of Mr. AAdriel Ely, at the age of fifteen, which proved a business discipline of great service in shaping his successful financial career.
After remaining in this position for four years, he decided to pre- pare for a collegiate course, but, upon the advice of his kinsman, Hon. Orville Hungerford, he took the position of bookkeeper in the Jefferson county bank for a year. At the expiration of that time he was promoted to the position of teller, which office he held for eight years, when he was elected cashier of Lewis county bank, at Martinsburg. At the end
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of two years he was urged by his friend, Mr. Ely, and his uncle, Hon. Orville Hungerford, to go into banking on his own account, under the general banking law of 1838.
Through the influence and at the urgent invitation of his friend, Robert B. Doxtater, and other leading citizens, he was induced to found an institution at Adams, Jefferson county, called Hungerford's bank, with a capital of $50,000, October 25, 1845, which he successfully con- ducted as an individual bank till September, 1853, when the capital was increased to $120,000, with the same name, and under a board of directors of which General Hungerford was president. The Banker's Magazine, after a notice warmly commending the management of the Hungerford National bank, as it became under the national banking law, mentions "a remarkable fact connected with the history of Hunger- ford's bank. It has never suspended specie payments during its exist- ence of upwards of twenty years, having honored every and all demands in coin until the advent of greenbacks, in 1861."
Mr. Hungerford had no superior in the successful management of this complicated business. For clearness of judgment, pleasing address, and, beyond all, honest and reliable financial management, he was equally remarkable. His love of agriculture was always intense, both for the pleasure it afforded and the beneficial influence upon his health, while it was intimately connected with his business operations.
He was, for many years before his death, closely identified with the Jefferson county and New York State agricultural societies. For six- teen years he was on the executive board of the State society, and finally took the chair of president. His "Valley Park Farm" was one of the most beautiful in the state. On this he kept one of the best herds of thoroughbred Ayrshire cattle in the United States, and was largely engaged in importing and breeding these favorites; also "short-horns," Leicester sheep, and Yorkshire swine; and shortly before his death devoted much attention to rearing horses, having had a just apprecia- tion of this prince among animals. The Boston Cultivator, May, 1863, mentions a particularly fine group of cattle on the Hungerford estate.
Railroad interests claimed a share of Mr. Hungerford's time and attention. His general enterprise found scope in this direction during the first attempts to connect the northern part of the state with the great thoroughfares and commercial centers.
Both money, time and influence were always at command. In 1855 he was elected a director of the Rome and Watertown railroad, at the
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earnest desire of such men as Philip Dater, of New York, and later of the Rome, Watertown and Ogdensburg railroad. He was complimented by the capitalists interested, for his substantial improvements in the management of the road. The sound judgment and integrity seen here, as in all other financial concerns, received a significant testimonial in an incident, one among many, gleaned from a private letter addressed to a personal friend by one for years bitterly prejudiced against Mr. Hungerford. In this the writer alludes to certain differences of opinion existing between Mr. Hungerford and himself, and states for his motive for voting for the former's re-election, his "fearless" discharge of duty in a position where so much "knavery and dishonesty" exists. But a higher object than business enterprise and success was at Mr. Hunger- ford's heart. Since 1836, when engaged in banking, "the idea of estab- lishing a first-class educational institution in my native country has been very much on my mind," says Mr. Hungerford in reply to the question as to just when his attention was drawn to the greatest achieve- ment of his life, the founding of Hungerford Collegiate Institute, whose splendid position among the literary establishments of the land is a joy to his own heart and an honor to his native state.
An attempt was made about the year 1855 to erect the proper build- ings and put the plan into operation, but owing to disagreement as to the site of the prospective edifice, the whole thing fell through for the time being. But in 1864, a large building, erected for hotel purposes, fell into Mr. Hungerford's hands; this he offered to donate to a board of trustees selected from the several neighboring churches, consisting of twenty-four, provided the citizens would raise an endowment fund of ten thousand dollars, the interest to be devoted to the payment of insur- ance, repairs, etc. The offer was accepted, a charter secured, and the institute put in successful operation for three years, when the building was burned down. Another site being obtained with the insurance money, avails of the old lot, and contributions to the amount of over eighty thousand dollars, the present structure was erected.
At the opening of the first institute referred to, the exercises were of an unusually interesting character. Special trains were run to the village from neighboring places, General "Joe" Hooker being among the guests. These were welcomed by Rev. Mr. Hobart, in behalf of the trustees, and escorted by the Watertown Cornet Band to Jackson Hall. After music and congratulatory addresses, Dr. Fisher, President of Hamilton College, delivered the inaugural address.
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The school opened with one hundred and sixty students; and the promise given by its dawn was fulfilled in the years that followed, when it shed the light of an enlightening and refining influence over the sur- rounding country. A most interesting account of the dedication of the new and elegant building erected subsequent to the fire is given by the press. We quote a few extracts :
"On Wednesday, August 24, was consummated in Adams the great public enterprise of the village and town. Its beginning and progress have been signalized by great liberality, clear foresight, excel= lent taste and judgment, and untiring energy.
"The old institute building having been burnt some time ago, it was resolved to build a new one, and part of the means for the purpose was at hand. A commanding site was selected, a plan drafted with careful deliberation, and the structure commenced. The design was purposely for something superior and costly,-something not easy to excel as an educational institute. It was rightly believed that a way would be found to complete it when the money in possession should be exhausted. The work at length had to be stopped. Estimates called for two thousand five hundred dollars more, and how should it be raised?"
Finally, after efforts in other directions, General Hungerford offered to double whatever sum might be raised, pledges were soon gained for fifteen thousand dollars, which, with the founder's generous offer, made thirty thousand dollars ; this, combined with the amount in the treasury, gave funds for a one hundred thousand dollar building. The elegant stone and brick building of to-day, with its admirable conveniences and great beauty, is the result.
It is heated with steam and lighted by gas. Hot and cold water can be drawn in each story, and there are bathrooms for both the gen- tlemen's and ladies' divisions. In the library and main hall, etc., is beautiful inlaid flooring of white and dark wood alternating.
At the dedication Rev. S. S. H. Greeley was the speaker of the day. He was followed by citizens and invited guests. General Hungerford, owing to previous illness, took no part in the exercises, but, after loud and renewed applause, came out of the ante-room in response to a call of the audience. He simply bowed and retired.
Mr. Hungerford's military career dates back to the year 1835: when quite a young man he was commissioned aide-de-camp to the brigadier-general of the Fifty-fifth Brigade of Infantry. In 1853 he became captain of infantry in the Thirty-sixth Regiment, and brigadier-
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general of the Eighteenth Brigade of the Fourth Division of New York State Militia in 1859. In 1861, when the Rebellion broke out, General Hungerford, commanding the Sixteenth Brigade, and also commis- sioned to inspect volunteer companies. was loyal to his trust and untiring in his efforts to co-operate with the government. He won the grateful recognition of the state and of his fellow citizens at home.
Mr. Hungerford's political career was made by himself-a brief one, beyond his influence in connection with business and social rela- tions, and his prompt action when it was needed as a citizen. He was by nature and education of the conservative school in politics. This fact, along with his general popularity, was the cause of his nomination to Congress by the Coalitionists of the Twentieth district in 1866, when an effort was made to defeat the ruling party by a combination of all those dissatisfied with its measures. Mr. Hungerford declined the nomination in a letter which was consistent with his principles, dignified and loyal, an honor to his head and heart.
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