Geographical gazetteer of Jefferson county, N.Y. 1684-1890, Part 126

Author: Child, Hamilton, 1836- [from old catalog] comp; Horton, William H., [from old catalog] ed
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y., The Syracuse journal company, printers and binders
Number of Pages: 1384

USA > New York > Jefferson County > Geographical gazetteer of Jefferson county, N.Y. 1684-1890 > Part 126

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For meritorious services President Johnson, the U. S. Senate concurring, conferred on him the title of brevet colonel and brevet brigadier-general,

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July 23, 1867. Immediately after being mustered out of service he returned to Hampton, Va., and in partnership with Hon. George Chahoon established a paper called True Southerner, which was outspoken in the principles for which he fought, and was one of the first in the nation to advocate suffrage for the freedmen. The first issue appeared early in November, 1865, pros- pered for awhile, but in time it failed, the last issue being in June, 1866. Just at this time the Methodist Episcopal Church Missionary Society sent agents South to organize churches. When they met Mr. White, and learned that he had been a minister in the same church, they impressed him into their service, and when the Virginia and North Carolina Conference was organized he became a charter member, and was made presiding elder of Richmond district, embracing all Eastern Virginia from Richmond to Wash- ington. Such was the prejudice against everything Northern, and especially against the Methodist Episcopal Church, that it was with great difficulty he could secure a place for religious service. This, together with the political influence acquired by his connection with the paper, being constantly urged to make political speeches, of necessity drew him into politics. He was elected delegate to the constitutional convention which assembled in Rich- mond the first week in January, 1868. The conference of which he was a member held its second session also at the same time, in the same city. After consultation with the bishop and presiding elders it was unanimously thought he could better serve the church and the cause of reconstruction by remaining in the convention. A location was granted him with most flatter- ing resolutions of esteem and regret, and cordially inviting him to return to his connection with them whenever he thought best to do so. His record in the convention was gratifying, being an acknowledged leader on the side of the Union. He was temporary chairman when the convention was organized, and was often called to the chair in the absence of the speaker. The conven- tion continued in session till May, 1868. In August he was appointed assistant sub assistant commissioner of the Freedman's Bureau, with headquarters in Eastville and Johnston, on the eastern shore of Virginia, which appointment he retained till it was revoked in consequence of the discontinuance of the bureau, December 31, 1868. The following extract from a letter from Gen. S. C. Armstrong, his superior in office, who was then and still is at the head of the Hampton Normal and Agricultural Institute, speaks for itself :-

" My Dear General :- At the close of your labors in the bureau I take great pleasure in assuring you that you have done the best school work of any officer ever on duty in my dis- triet. You have in a few months done a great work, and are entitled to a credit beyond my power to fully render. *

"S. C. ARMSTRONG, Sub-Assistant Commissioner."

In May, 1869, he was appointed by G. S. Boutwell, Secretary of the Treas- ury, assistant assessor of internal revenue in the Fourth District of Virginia, and resigned October 27 to accept the office of assessor of the same district, to which he was appointed and commissioned by President Grant, and con-

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TOWN OF WILNA.

firmed by the United States Senate, which place he held till March 4, 1871. Meanwhile, Congress having accepted the constitution as framed by the con- vention, submitted it to a vote of the people of Virginia, and ordered the election of state officers provided for by said constitution and the members of Congress. The election was held July 6, 1869. Gen. White was elected member of the House of delegates, the lower House of the legislature, to rep- resent the Third District of Virginia, embracing Warwick and Elizabeth City counties, in which district he had his home, and where his family resided. The legislature convened October 5, 1869, seated delegates, adopted rules for the government of the House and General Assembly, ratified the various amendments to the constitution of the United States, elected United States senators, submitted their acts to Congress, and adjourned October 20, to await Congress's approval of the action of the people of Virginia ; convened Feb- ruary 8, 1870, adjourned July 11, reassembled October 1, and adjourned sine die November 10, 1870.

April 27, 1870, a few minutes before II A. M., the bell was tolling the hour for assembling the legislature, and the Supreme Court of Appeals had just gathered in the court room above the House of delegates, to hear the de- cision of the judge in a case involving great interests. An immense con- course of people of all stations in life, and of all shades of politics, had assembled. The clerk had entered, judges were in their seats, the counsel ready for business, and the reporters of the four city papers were in their chairs, when a sudden crash brought the gallery over into the court room, which gave way, and the whole went crashing down into the room of the House of delegates, carrying it along in the general ruin. Fifty-eight bodies were taken out dead, and 172 injured, several of whom soon died. Just before the crash Gen. White had been writing at his desk in the House of delegates. Interested in the decision about to be given he put away his writing and went out to the rotunda to go to the court room. He stopped and deliberated a moment should he go up stairs or back to his desk, or go to see a friend on business. He decided upon the latter, and scarcely was he seated in his friend's parlor when the alarm was given. All thought the building was on fire. He calmly arose and said he would go and save the papers in his desk. Reaching the capitol he saw the trouble, sprang through a window, the door being blockaded ; he took off his coat into which he put his watch, and put both where he could find them when wanted. 'He. then went to work, de- liberately giving directions as to the rescuing of the injured and the dead. He was joined by the rebel general Imboden, and, as by common consent, these two worked together and directed others, who seemed to abide the judgment and do the bidding of these, who never ceased their labors for a moment till the last man living or dead was brought out from the débris. Each of the four Richmond papers paid him very high compliments for his bravery and efficiency, where till now they had only bitter denunciations for his pronounced Union sentiments.

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TOWN OF WILNA.

His record in the legislature was all that his friends could desire ; never wavering from his principles, yet magnanimous toward his political foes, and only those who were in those Southern states, just after the war, can fully comprehend the meaning of the term " political foes." Often his life had been threatened and ambush had been laid for him. Once some men in a barroom were discussing him, when one said, " Why don't somebody kill him ?" One fellow, with maudling speech, answered: "Cause there don't anybody get drunk enough to be such fools as to undertake it." Col. Mallory, whose call on Gen. Butler for the return of his slaves drew from the General that im- mortal epithet " contraband," went with others, after the legislature adjourned, to Gen. White, and told him if he would run for the next legislature from that district they would not bring forward any other candidate. His health was now very much broken, and he was not able to consider the proposition. March 4, 1871, he resigned his position as assessor of internal revenue, and returned home for a season of rest. He was soon after appointed by the Secretary of the Treasury inspector of customs for the port of Hampton, which place he held till the office was abolished, December 31, 1872. During all these years he had frequently occupied pulpits in Richmond, Ports- mouth, Norfolk, and Chesapeeke, near Fort Monroe, with which latter place he held his church membership. There they entreated him, not willing to be denied, that he should become their pastor. His health was now so poor that his only hope of recovery was in returning to his native state.

February, 1873, he was readmitted to the Virginia conference and urgently entreated to take work with them, but the state of his health warned him that he must leave that climate. He was transferred in April to Northern New York Conference by Bishop Harris, and appointed to Madrid. He subse- quently served Louisville, Canton, Ogdensburg, and came to Carthage, this county, in April, 1883. Here disease laid him low. He was recovering from a severe illness when the great fire of October 20, 1884, broke out. He, by persistent effort, directing, encouraging, and betimes commanding, when to others the effort seemed vain, succeeded in saving the Methodist Church and parsonage from the flames, these being the only things left standing at the close of that dreadful day in the midst of 70 acres of desolation and ruin. The effort and excitement brought on complete prostration. After a day or two he rallied by his will, sent for his own official board and the pastors of the other churchies whose edifices had gone down in the general ruin, and made arrangements to have the pastors occupy in turn the M. E. Church. His own labors were now ended, but not his sufferings, which often were in- describable. In February, 1885, he went to St. Luke's Hospital, Utica, for treatment, without avail. He was brought home June 18, helpless but suf- fering most excruciatingly, requiring three or four persons to move him in bed. He subsequently became less sensitive to pain, but lingered a perfect physical wreck till July 21, 1886, when death came to his relief. His mind was clear as ever in health till the unconsciousness of death settled upon him.

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TOWN OF WILNA.

A large concourse of sympathizing friends accompanied his remains to Fair- view Cemetery, and did all that humanity could do to lift the shadows from his bereaved family.

This sketch would be incomplete without a mention of the orders to which he belonged. He became a Mason in September, 1861; joined the G. A. R. with the Theodore Winthrop Post, No. 5, Department of Virginia, February 21, 1870 ; became an Odd Fellow during his pastorate in Ogdensburg ; and was transferred from Winthrop Post, G. A. R., to E. B. Steele Post, Car- thage. During all his afflictions these orders were more than brothers ; not only supplying nurses and watchers for the terrible 13 months, but for a part of the time the entire necessities of life till December, 1885, when tardy justice, yet always sure, from the government relieved financial wants.

Cornelius Van Allen, son of Cornelius and Catharine (Martin) Van Allen, was born in Herkimer County in 1803. In his boyhood, with his mother and step-father, Adam See, he removed to Pillar Point, in the town of Brown- ville. He was educated in the common schools and early entered actively into the duties of business life. He was often employed by neighbors to draw legal papers, and in the settlement of estates. He bought several farms and cleared them up. He married Lora Ackerman, daughter of Robert and Roxalana (Child) Ackerman, of Pillar Point, in July, 1829. While having no ambition for office, he served his town in an acceptable manner on several occasions. His chief pride was in advancing the educational interests of the locality by giving all of his nine children an academic education at Falley Seminary, an example that in a measure was followed by several of his neigh- bors. He assisted several young men in gaining an education by advancing the funds necessary. He bore one-third of the expenses of building the first Methodist Episcopal Church on Pillar Point, and through life was a liberal contributor towards the support of the gospel. He died December 13, 1866. His daughter Sarah H., born in May, 1834, became the wife of Rev. Gen. D. B. White.

FAMILY SKETCHES.

David Hewitt came to Wilna about the year 1800, and built a log house where Charles Horr's grocery now stands, and where his son John was born, in 1805, the second white child born in the village of Carthage. John Hewitt married Hepsey S. Bassett, daughter of Heze- kiah, and two of their children are living, viz .: Wheeler B., in Denver, Col., and Clark G., in Honolulu, Sandwich Islands. Mr. Hewitt was a carpenter and machinist, and was well known throughout the county. He died November 20, 1878.

Ephraim Lewis came to Wilna about 1808 and located in the north part of the town, where- he took up a large tract of land, including the farm now occupied by his grandson, Sanford Lewis. He built a log hotel, where he entertained travelers for a number of years, when he traded with his son Stephen for the farm now occupied by W. B. Carter. He afterwards re- moved to Ohio, where he died. His son, Capt. Stephen Lewis, kept the hotel several years, and about 1843 Sanford, son of Stephen, became proprietor, and has remained there to the present time.

John James Devois immigrated from Paris, France, with his wife and one son, Francis, about 1797, and located at Beaver River, Lewis County, N. Y., where he died about 1803.

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TOWN OF WILNA.

About 1808 Franeis Devois eame to this town with his mother and located upon the farm now occupied by his son Charles. He married Margaret Daley, by whom he had eight children, tive of whom are living, viz .: Ortens (Mrs. William Southworth), of Rutland; Rossena (Mrs. Lnman Osmer), of Watertown; Simeon, who resides in California; and Charles and Mary, who live with their mother on the old homestead.

John I. Passenger came from Albany County, N. Y., to Wilna among the early settlers, and resided for a time near the Fulton neighborhood. IIe subsequently removed from this county, but in a few years returned. He was well known throughout the county, and was said to have been the first who laid out the frame of a barn by square rule. He had born to him 12 children, eight of whom grew to maturity, and seven are now living, namely: Electa, John A., Catharine, James, Peter, Charles, and Diantha. James Passenger married Louisa, daughter of David Winney, and located on the farm where he now resides. He has two chil- dren, viz .: Nettie C. (Mrs. James J. Wilson), and Sherman W. Peter Passenger, son of John I., served in the late war in the 4th Michigan Cavalry, and was one of the company which captured Jeff. Davis at the elose of the war. He now resides in Michigan. Diantha Passenger married Charles Ward, who enlisted in Co. F, 193d Regt. N. Y. Vols., March 6, 1865, and was discharged January 18, 1866. Mr. Ward was a pensioner, and died February 3, 1887.

Lewis Lanphear came to the town of Wilna at an early day and settled on the farm now owned by L. G. Stanard. Jeremiah Lanphear, son of Lewis, married Fannie, daughter of Caleb Fulton, and settled on the farm where his son Nelson W. now lives, and here resided until his death. Of his family of eight children three are living, viz .: Nelson W. and Hiram K. in this town, and Simeon F. in Crystal Spring, Yates County.

John Farr, son of John, came from Pennsylvania to the town of Wilna at an early day, located in Carthage village, and engaged in making iron for Mr. Le Ray. He married Susan MeClain, by whom he had six sons and six daughters, nine of whom are living, two in this town, viz .: John, who resides on a farm near Bochanan's steam mill, and V. L., who resides in the village of Carthage, where he was born. The latter married Abby J. Allen and they have five children living, viz .: Fred, an engineer on the C. & A. R. R., who married Charlotte Catlin and lives in Carthage; James, a mason, who resides with his parents; Lydia A. (Mrs. James Scott), who lives in this town; and Eddie and Lillie, who reside with their parents. Mr. Farr enlisted in Co. B, 35th Regt. N. Y. Vols., in 1861, was wounded, and discharged the same year. He reënlisted in Co. E, 20th N. Y. Cav., in 1863, and was discharged in August, 1865.

Amos Draper, who came from Rhode Island, was one of the early settlers of the town of Wilna. He came when a young man with his father and located on the farm now occupied by his son Philorus. He married Sibyl Tift, daughter of Johnson, and they had 13 children, 10 of whom were living at the time of his death. Samuel Draper, son of Amos, was born in 1825. He married Harriet, daughter of Ephraim Smith. In January, 1862, he enlisted in Co. I, 94th N. Y. Vols., and participated in the battles of Fredericksburg, Wilderness, and Petersburg, and was discharged in 1865.

Benjamin G. Hall came from Deerfield, Oneida County, to Wiina, about 1810. and settled on a farm on road 44. He reared a family of eight children, four of whom are living, namely: Sylvester In Minnesota; Hiram on road 38, in this town, where he was born in 1812; Lydia resides in Wisconsin; and Luther P., who was born in this town in 1815, and now resides on road 22. William, son of Luther, enlisted in Co. K, 20th N. Y. Cav., in 1863, and was mustered out in 1865.

Caleb Fulton, son of James, was born in 1777. He came from Coleraine, Mass., to Wilna, in 1810, and took up 50 aeres of land and built a log house on road 62, where his son's wife, Mrs. Angeline Fulton, now lives. He had born to him nine children, viz. : Fanny, Simeon, Mary, Sally, James, Lydia, Filura, William, and Elisha, only two of whom, Simeon and Sally, are living. Simeon was born April 4, 1809. He married Larrissa, daughter of John Smith, of Wilna, and located on road 62, where he now resides. He was supervisor of this town in 1847, '48, and '49, and was also notary public and sehool commissioner for several years. He has one adopted daughter, Julia A .. who married Myron Lewis, Jr., and has two children, Eon F. and Roy E. Mr. Fulton was a captain of militia. He owns the second oldest house in this town that is occupied.

Elisha Fulton, son of Caleb, was born in 1823. He married Angelica Clearwater and settled on the old homestead. He had five children, of whom four are living, viz .: Maria L., Sedate H., Joseph E., and Clark A. He was a farmer and died in November, 1886.

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TOWN OF WILNA.

Isaac Blanchard removed from Rhode Island to Deerfield, Oneida County, and thence to Wilna in 1811, where he located on road 44, on the farm now owned by Silas Smith. He mar- ried Patience Hall, by whom he had eight children, only one of whom, Isaac, Jr., is living. Isaac, Jr., married Eleanor Allen, daughter of Tunis, and they had four children, only one of whom, Patience, is living. Patience married James W. Burns and resides at Natural Bridge.

Orlo Stanard came from Saybrook, Conn., to Oneida County, and thence to Wilna in 1812, locating near what was known as the " Checkered House," where he built a shop and engaged in carpentering. He also built and run several saw-mills, and bought and occupied the farms now owned by his sons George and La Fayette. He married Lurena Griffin, whose father, Enoch, was one of the first settlers in the town. Of their five children, four are living in Wilna, namely : Eliza (Mrs. John Chadwick), Lorinda (Mrs. S. Crowner), George and La Fayette. The latter married Emily Thompson and they have three children, Jennie A. (Mrs. John Purcell), Mary E. (Mrs. B. Ford), of Diana, Lewis County, and Grace, who lives with her parents.

John D. Hammond was born in New Lebanon, N. Y .. in 1780. He was the son of Rev. John Hanımond, a noted divine in the Baptist Church, and also a celebrated surveyor, who did much service in this northern country, and whose father and grandfather came from England and settled at Providence, R. I. Rev. John died at Albany in 1821, aged 84 years. John D. Hammond accompanied his father in his explorations and surveying trips, as did his two brothers, Werden and Calvin. They surveyed routes from Utica to Sackets Harbor, Long Falls, and Ogdensburg. These pioneer roads were surveyed about the beginning of the present century. John D. Hammond, in 1808, married Hellanah Settle, daughter of Peter and Katie (Yost) Settle, of Johnstown, N. Y. When the war broke out he joined the army at Sackets Harbor, and remained there a year and a half, acting as quartermaster. At the close of the war he returned to the business of surveying, at which, with others, he was engaged in Lewis and several other counties, until, in 1820, he removed his family to Le Rays- ville, and entered the service of Mr. James LeRay, by whom he was employed several years, and afterwards by his son Vincent. In 1821 he surveyed and plotted the village of Carthage, where he removed in 1822, and built him a home on the site of the present Baptist Church, the house being destroyed by the fire of 1884. Mr. Hammond subsequently surveyed much of the lands belonging to Joseph Bonaparte (Count de Survelliers), laying out the roads and lo- cating the principal division lines. He died after a brief illness, August 7, 1836, aged 56 years. His family consisted of seven sons and five daughters. He had been greatly assisted in his surveys by his sons, and the eldest, Theodore S., soon became an adept at the business, but he eventually gave his attention chiefly to the law.

Theodore S. Hammond, son of John D., attended the schools in Carthage village until 19 years of age. He was then, for a short time, employed by Jasan Fairbanks, of Watertown, and afterwards in the county clerk's office. At the age of 21 he married Mary A., daughter of E. Wilkins, of Watertown, and shortly after removed to Canton, St. Lawrence County, where he was engaged in surveying for two years. He then returned to Carthage, opened a land office on Water street, and commenced the study of law with Marcus Bickford. He became one of the leading lawyers in this locality, and at the time of his death was an extensive land owner. He built the residence now occupied by his son Henry W. Of his three sons, Charles T., Frederick, and Henry W., the latter is the only survivor. Charles T. was a prom- inent lawyer and Mason, and was master of the lodge in Carthage at the time of his death. Henry W. is superintendent of the eastern division of the R., W. & O. Railroad, in whose employ he has been several years. He married Alvira, daughter of Henry and Alvira Rich.

Thomas Hastings came from Massachusetts and located in the town of Champion in 1808. In 1816 he located on the farm on road 45, in this town, where his son Joseph now lives. He had born to him 10 children,-five sons and five daughters, -only one of whom, Joseph, is liv- ing. Joseph married Rachel Van Antwerp, by whom he had eight children, seven of whom are living.

Seth Hooker came from New Britain, Conn., and located in Carthage about 1817, where he opened a general store and kept the post office, the revenue from the office then being less than $25 a year. He was postmaster more than 20 years. After 15 years of active business life failing health compelled him to retire. He married Calista Nimocks, and their children were Horace, Ralph, and Sarah L. He died in 1882 and his wife in 1888. Horace Hooker has been in the clothing business in Carthage since 1849.

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TOWN OF WILNA.

Zebina Chaffee, son of Clifford, was born in Westminster, Vt., and about 1818 or '19 came to Wilna and located at Natural Bridge. He was a carpenter by trade, and assisted in build- ng the Bonaparte house. He died in 1850. He married Lucy Nutting, of Westminster, Vt., iand they had six children, viz .: Marab, Eliza Ann. Lucy J., Lucia A .. Ira V., and Zebina O., of whom Mrs. Oren Saunders and Ira V. are the only survivors. Ira V. was born in Natural Bridge, June 25, 1821. He married Eliza, daughter of Stiles Brown, of Diana, Lewis County, in 1850, and first located on road 26. In 1863 he removed to the farm he now occupies. He has four children, viz .: Charles C., of Bryant. Dakota; Mary A. (Mrs. William Sly) and Lewis R., of Diana, Lewis County; and Ira S., who resides with his parents.

William Dawley came from Newport, Herkimer County, to Wilna, in 1819, and took up 50 acres of land on road 38. He was a mason and worked at his trade in Watertown for several seasons. He had eight children, six of whom are living, viz .: Darius H., James H., Nathan, William, Caroline (Mrs. Colvin Carow, Jr. ), and Eveline. Darius H. married Lucinda William- son, daughter of John, and they have five children, viz .: Edgar, Elisha, George, De Witt, and Josephine A. (Mrs. John Connell).

Paul Keyes came from Montgomery County, N. Y., to this town, about 1820. and located on road 58, where Mrs. Lovina Carter now resides, where he built a log house and engaged in farming. He had a family of eight children, namely: Sally, Armina, Mariette, Samuel, Adelia, Harrison, Caroline, and Celia. Samuel, the only one now living in this town, married Mary, daughter of Caleb Fulton, and located upon the farm he now occupies. He bas three sons and one daughter living, viz .: George, Samuel, Jr., Caleb, and Albreda (MIrs. R. Palmer). Mr. Keyes has been supervisor of this town, and has held several other offices of trust.

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Geographical gazetteer of Jefferson county, N.Y. 1684-1890, Part 126

Author: Child, Hamilton, 1836- [from old catalog] comp; Horton, William H., [from old catalog] ed Publication date: 1890 Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y., The Syracuse journal company, printers and binders Number of Pages: 1384

Author: Child, Hamilton, 1836- [from old catalog] comp; Horton, William H., [from old catalog] ed
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y., The Syracuse journal company, printers and binders
Number of Pages: 1384