Geographical gazetteer of Jefferson county, N.Y. 1684-1890, Part 73

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 73

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

TOWN OF HOUNSFIELD.

THE "ONTARIO."

The steamer Ontario, built at Sackets Harbor in 1816, was the first steamboat built on the great lakes. The above is from a picture made by Capt. James Van Cleve, from one made when he was clerk on board the Ontario in 1827, the picture being presented to the custom-house in Sackets Harbor by him in 1877. It is a faithful representation of the old pioneer steamer.

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TOWN OF HOUNSFIELD.

The Chippewa, a vessel of the same class, was being built at Starr's Har- bor, farther up the bay, but the news of peace put a stop to the work upon- her also, which had not advanced as far as on the New Orleans. A house was built over her and preserved for a number of years, but the vessel was finally taken down for the iron it contained and the house removed.

The Old Battle-Ground .- On July 6, 1886, on the occasion of the cele- bration of the anniversary of American Independence, there was assembled at Sackets Harbor a notable gathering of military and civic personages to assist in and witness the presentation of the old battle-ground of the War of 1812-15 jointly to the village of Sackets Harbor and the Jefferson County Historical Society. The day was as beautiful as so worthy an undertaking deserved. The military organizations present were the 39th Separate Com- pany of Watertown, under command of Captain James S. Miller ; the 12th Infantry band and five companies of regulars from Madison Barracks, under command of General O. B. Willcox ; and the Q. M. Camp and J. K. Barnes Posts, G. A. R., with bands and drum corps. A platform was erected on the' old battle-ground overlooking the harbor and lake. The stand was occupied by members of the historical society, among whom were H. M. Allen, mayor of Watertown, Rev. Dr. Randolph, T. H. Camp, Jason M. Fair- banks, W. B. Camp, Lewis J. Hooker, Lotus Ingalls, B. Brockway, Albert D. Shaw, Sidney Cooper, L. J. Dorwin, Moses Eames, D. S. Marvin, Justus. Eddy, R. A. Oakes, Judge A. H. Sawyer, Rev. Dr. R. Fisk, E. M. Gates, Hiram Converse, C. M. Clark, Rev. J. Winslow, E. Q. Sewall, Richard M. Earl, Jr., president of the village of Sackets Harbor, and the trustees of Sackets Harbor, and many other prominent citizens of Jefferson County; also Judge Turner and William McCulloch, of Lowville, the latter a veteran of the War of 1812; the Hon. John F. Seymour, Dr. M. M. Bagg, and R. D. Williams, of the Oneida Historical Society of Utica. C. M. Clark, Esq., was president of the day. Speeches were made by Rev. Richmond Fisk, D. D., General O. B. Willcox, Hon. J. F. Seymour, and Col. Albert D. Shaw. Let- ters and telegrams of regret were received from Generals Sheridan, Schofield, and Robenbough, Hon. Ellis H. Roberts, of Utica, Hon. Charles R. Skin- ner, and others. At the conclusion of Col. Shaw's address Col. Walter B. Camp, sole surviving executor of Col. Elisha Camp, in behalf of the heirs of the estate presented to Mr. B. Brockway, president of the Historical Society, and to Richard M. Earl, the president, and trustees of the village of Sackets. Harbor, the papers, duly executed, conveying to said society and village the old battle-ground. In presenting the papers Col. Camp said :-

" It is easy to picture to our imagination, gathered round about us, the veteran host who once bivouacked upon these grounds. Could our eyes be opened as were the prophets of old, chariots and horsemen might be seen attending the fair Goddess of Liberty, and viewing with approving smile the offerings of their loyal children to-day. How cheering the thought that the same infinite source that endows mortals with the faculty of retaining past events can extend that god-like quality to those who pass into the bourne of his infinity! How natural to suppose the invisible army are marshaled here: shades of Scott, Harrison, Brown, Pike,-

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Dearborn, Backus, Mills, and Wilkinson, with thousands of associates once in arms. The navy meet Woolsey, Chauncey, Montgomery, Ford, Vaughan, Mallory, and their equals, with their gallant crews manning their phantom ships on the waters of our beautiful bay. We will sup- pose them all here, charged with a benedietion for the same spirit to abide with us that actu- ated them in establishing a country, a nation, and a home. Here is the sacred camping of the immortals, and for those living who are not lost to a sense of obligation and veneration for the labors and sufferings of their patriot fathers. Our efforts to preserve this historic loeality have awakened a lively interest throughout our county. Those afar send congratulations by telegraph. The press have but one voice of encouragement and approval for our timely action. With these gifts of benediction and encouragement, with this outpouring of loyal citizens and soldiers of the professions with honorable representation, we assemble to commemorate the deeds of our ancestors, and dedicate these memorable acres.

" Mr. President and Gentlemen, Members of the Historical Society of the County of Jeffer- son; Mr. President and Trustees of the Village of Sackets Harbor: As sole surviving executor of the estate of the late Col. Elisha Camp, with the hearty approval and consent of his heirs, I hereby convey to your corporate bodies, by papers duly signed and delivered this day: All that certain piece or parcel of land designated as the battle and camping-ground of 1812, lying in the village of Sackets, to have and hold by deed and trust according to the provisions of said papers, and to be known as Fort Tompkins Park."

President Brockway, for the historical society, acknowledged the gift as follows :--

" Col. Camp and Fellow-Citizens :

"On behalf of the Jefferson County Historical Society I gratefully accept the historic trust which you have so eloquently presented, jointly, to our society, and to the trustees of this vil- lage. It is a gift of great value, and one that should be-and will be-highly prized by all our people. Such generous solicitude for the preservation of historic battle-fields is worthy of all praise, and the ceremonies of this day will long be remembered as among the most interesting in the annals of our county. I trust that these grounds may be made beautiful in years to come-and that some suitable monument may be erected here to mark the deeds of heroes who gave their lives to the cause of their country."

President Earl, for the village of Sackets Harbor, acknowledged the gift as follows :-

" Col. Camp, Ladies, and Gentlemen :

"I accept, on behalf of the trustees of the village of Sackets Harbor, the valuable gift. jointly, conveyed this day to the Jefferson County Historical Society, and to our village. We shall take pride in doing what we ean to carry out the wishes of the donors, and will heartily join in such improvements as may be possible within our means to make this battle-field at- tractive as a historic park."

The Rev. J. Winslow, then amidst the firing of guns, read the following sentences :-

"In the name and by the authority of the Historical Society of Jefferson County and the corporation of the village of Sackets Harbor, and in the presence of the military of the United States of America and the posts of the G. A. R., and in the presence of the citizens of this and adjoining counties, we now dedicate this battle-field to the memory of those who in the navy guarded our inland seas and lakes and ocean coasts. We dedieate it to the memory of those who in the army fought for our hillsides, villages, and plains. We dedicate it to the memory of those who on land and sea fought for the defense of the Union and the American flag."

After a prayer by Rev. Mr. Winslow a salute of 38 guns was fired by the U. S. Battery, commanded by Lieut. Abbott. The military then re-formed and marched back to the barracks, where the members of the 39th Separate Company from Watertown were entertained at lunch by the officers of the garrison.

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TOWN OF HOUNSFIELD.

The gentlemen of the historical society, with guests and orators of the day, by invitation of Col. W. B. Camp, proceeded to his spacious residence, once that of General Woolsey. Here, under the trees, at three p. m., 35 guests sat down to a most bountiful dinner. After dinner several inpromptu speeches were made and many pleasing reminiscences indulged in. Col. Camp related how it came about that the old battle-ground was given away. It was to carry out the wishes of Col. Elisha Camp, that the battle-ground be kept as a park. He had often long before his death expressed the wish that the village would buy the ground and beautify it. Mr. Camp closed by ex- pressing the hope that the historical society and the village would be able to beautify the place and render it an attractive park. Its situation on a bluff, overlooking the large harbor and the lake, is unsurpassed for beauty of view.

It is to be regretted that no appropriate monument has been erected by the national government to mark this historic spot, where was fought the first battle of the important war, the success of which for the American forces firmly established our independence. Not long since an effort was inaugu- rated by an enterprising and patriotic citizen of the village, assisted by friends in Washington, to interest' our legislators in securing for this ancient battle- ground proper recognition in the form of an appropriation to be expended in the erection of a suitable memorial. This laudable project was probably defeated because there was not enough of political jobbery in it to inspire our patriotic (before election) senators and representatives.

The following copy of an ancient document, the original of which is in the possession of Col. W. B. Camp, will show the expense attending, and manner of celebrating, the anniversary of our national independence in the early days :-

STATEMENT

Of the Expenditures of the Committee of Arrangements for the Fourth of July, A. D. 1807. at Sackets Harbor:

. d.

3d July. 25 lbs. Powder at 6-3

£7

16 3

Cartridge Paper for Rockets

2 8

1 lb. of Salt Petre for Do.

4 6

14 1b. of Brimstone for Do.

1 Qr. paper 2-6 & 14 lb. Powder for Do.

34 lb. Powder for Do.

7 6

Cannon Powder to the amt. of Ashby Merritt's subscription

€9 12 4

1 lb. of priming powder from L. Buss

W. Evans bill for Iron work to Cannon

J. Evans Do for wood work for Do.

Total Expenditures £11 14 4 Or $29.29.

J. Landon's charge for 2 half dinners for musicians, $1.

To defray which there have been the following subscriptions: Messrs. Sacket, Buss, Camp, Seamens, Merritt & Co., each $2.

Halter B. lamp

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TOWN OF HOUNSFIELD.

Messrs. Landon, Luff, Pease, Green, Evans, Waring, Worden, Brant, Baker, and Cooke, .each $1.

Paid Bendy, which Messrs. Sloman & Luff subscribed, $2, which was worked out in rockets.

Capt. Gardner pd on his own acct $4.10.

A further amount of $4, subscribed by four persons, was indorsed on the back of the statement, and as one man (Mr. Brant) failed to pay his subscrip- tion of $ 1 a balance of $3.19 was left unpaid. Elisha Camp drew up the state- ment of account, and had charge of the collecting of the several amounts.

CHURCHES.

Sackets Harbor Presbyterian Church was organized February 12, 1816, and Melanchthon T. Woolsey, Samuel Bosworth, Samuel F. Hooker, Elisha Camp, and Enoch Ely were the first trustees. Meetings were held in the school- house until their first church edifice was erected in 1820, at which time the trustees were Josiah Bacon, Amos Catlin, George Camp, L. Dennison, J. V. Bacon, J. G. Parker, and S. Johnson. In the great fire of August 23, 1843, their church building was destroyed, and in 1843 the present brick structure was erected by the following trustees : W. R. Stow, R. S. Robbins, Jason Phelps, H. Cook, S. A. Hudson, Walter Kimball, and George Camp. The original cost of this structure was $6,000. It will comfortably seat 400 per- sons, and is valued, including grounds and other church property, at about $8,000. The chapel adjoining the church was erected in 1879 by Walter B. Camp, and dedicated on Christmas, at which time it was presented as a clear gift to the church society by the generous builder. Since its organization the pastors of the church have been as follows, with their terms of service : Sam- uel Snowden, March, 1817, to March 1826; Jedediah Burchard, December, 1826, to September, 1827 ; James R. Boyd, November, 1827, to September, 1830; E. Spencer, September, 1830, to September, 1831 ; James W. Irwin, November, 1831, to November, 1835 ; James 'R. Boyd (supplied), April, 1835, to April, 1836 ; George Wilson, July, 1836, to July, 1839 ; S. Sturges, Novem- ber, 1839, to July, 1841 ; F. G. Townsend, October, 1841, to September, 1849; L. A. Sawyer, January, 1849, to October, 1854; G. S. Brownson, January, 1855, to October, 1857 ; W. W. Warner, January, 1857, to Jan- uary, 1859 ; A. T. Young, July, 1860, to July, 1,864; Henry Hickock, Jan- uary, 1866, to May 28, 1882. A. B. Allen and L. R. Webber succeeded Mr. Hickock, and the latter is the present pastor. The present membership of the society is about 85. Since the organization of the Sunday-school, in 1817, it has had but three superintendents-George Camp, Jason Phelps, and Walter B. Camp. The latter has hield the position for the past 30 years.

Christ's Episcopal Church at Sackets Harbor was organized August 6, 1821, and the first vestry consisted of Zeno Allen and Elisha Camp, wardens ; Robert M. Harrison, Samuel O. Auchmuty, William Kendall, John McCarty, Hiram Steele, Thomas J. Angel, Hiram Merrill, and Thomas Y. Howe, ves-

32*

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trymen. The first who officiated and preached here was Bishop Hobart, who, in his reports records having visited Sackets Harbor, Thursday after- noon, September 14, 1821. At a meeting of the vestry, September 29, 1821, it was voted to give Henry Moore Shaw $600 per year, which he ac- cepted, and served as first rector of the church. The church edifice of this society was commenced in 1823, but was not completed until 1832. It is of stone, cost $500, about its present value, and will comfortably seat 300 persons. The present rector is Rev. J. Winslow, of Watertown.

The Methodist Episcopal Church of Sackets Harbor was organized May 9, 1831, with Asahel Smith, Alvali Kinney, Hiram Steele, John H. McKee, William Francis, Elijah Field, Daniel Griffin, Samuel Whitty, and Samuel C. De Camp, trustees, with 15 members. In 1835 it was reorganized, and in 1841 they erected a church at a cost of $3,000. This building, which is lo- cated on Main street, was repaired in 1881, and is now valued, including grounds and other church property, at $4, 100. It will comfortably seat 400 persons. The present membership of the church is 115, and the Sunday-school has 180 scholars and 25 teachers. The first pastor of the church was Rev. J. L. Hunt, and the present one is Rev. Harvey L. Holmes.

The Roman Catholic Church at Sackets Harbor was organized in 1886 by Rev. Eugene I. V. Huiginn, the first pastor, with 40 members, and the same year a house of worship was erected at a cost of $500.

The Christian Church at East Hounsfield was organized in 1844 by Rev. Libbius Field, the first pastor. Their house of worship, a wooden structure, was built in 1844 and cost $1,000. It will seat 150 persons, and is valued, including grounds, etc., at about $2,000. The present membership is 40, under the pastoral charge of Rev. Berrass Fanton.

The Catholic Church, located in the northeastern part of Hounsfield, was organized by Father Mahoy, in 1870, with 100 members. Their house of worship, which will comfortably seat 200 persons, was built in 1870 at a cost of $500, about its present value. The parish is under the supervision of a priest who resides in Watertown.

The Methodist Episcopal Church, located at Sulphur Springs, in Hounsfield, was organized in 1877, with a small number of members, and Rev. S. M. Fisk was the first pastor. Their house of worship was built by the Seventh- Day Baptist Society, at a cost of about $500. It will seat 150 persons, and is valued, including grounds, etc., at $1,200. The present membership is 30, and Rev. Harvey L. Holmes is pastor. The Sunday-school has seven teachers and 60 scholars.

AUGUSTUS SACKET.

" Augustus Sacket,* the pioneer of Sackets Harbor, was born in the city of New York, November 10, 1769, where he received his education and acquired the profession of law. In 1801, having purchased a tract in Houns-

* Hough.

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TOWN OF HOUNSFIELD.

field, he came on and began the first settlement at that place, and commenced its improvement with much energy. Upon the formation of a collection dis- trict he was appointed the first collector, and at the organization of the County Court was made first judge. In 1809, having sold his property in this county, he removed to Jamaica, L. I., from whence, in 1812, he went to Meadville, Pa., having there purchased 300,000 acres of land. He soon returned to New York city, and in 1820 he went to Rutherford County, N. C., having become interested in a large tract of land in that state. By a subse- quent transaction he became interested in the islands of the St. Lawrence, and returned to Sackets Harbor, and in 1827 removed to Newburg. In these varied changes and transactions in land speculations he was ultimately very unfortunate. He died at Albany, April 29, 1827, of a sudden sickness, while on his way to this county."

COLONEL ELISHA CAMP.

One of the prominent and deservedly recognized leaders among the early settlers in Jefferson County was Elisha Camp, born in Catskill, N. Y., in 1786, and in what he playfully claimed a Stone Jug. A spendthrift, renegade Englishman squandered a fortune there during the war of 1776. His stone mansion (in which Mr. Camp was born) and elegant grounds went into his- tory as the Stone Jug and dies folly.

The mother of Elisha appears to have been one of that resolute and superior class who could make any sacrifice to advance the welfare of a dependent family. Especially marked was her desire to favor the ambition of this son, who, at the early age of 14, entered Columbia College, graduating one year in advance of his class.

The distinguishing traits of character there exhibited fathered the man, possessing as he did a masterly determination to meet any responsibility, trust, or condition of circumstances. About 1802 he entered the law office of Judge Storrs, Whitestown, N. Y., where he attracted the attention of Bishop Hobart, who pressed upon the young aspirant to the law the import- ance of giving his talents to the church, and to enter the ministry. Mr. Camp did not discover in himself qualifications to assume the responsibilities of so sacred a calling, for the office of which he held profound respect.

Judge Augustus Sacket, of New York, and brother-in-law of Elisha Camp, made extensive purchases of land in the " Black River country " in 1801, comprising the present village of Sackets Harbor and part of town- ship. We find Mr. Camp here in 1804, at 18 years of age, as attorney, act- ively entering upon his profession. In 1807 he was appointed surveyor of the town. Mr. Sacket sold his interest in lands in this locality in 1809 to a syndicate in New York city, who appointed Mr. Camp their resident agent. This brought him in contact with that influential class of distinguished names who figured so prominently in the affairs of our state and country. In every enterprise that engaged their attention he was more or less asso-

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TOWN OF HOUNSFIELD.

ciated. Their enlarged views and the times stimulated the young, ardent, and patriotic agent to untiring devotion to the wants of the new comers to this region, who were seeking homes and citizenship. Whatever demands were made upon his splendid physical endowments, matched by his mental vigor and powers, were met without stint or tire. Mr. Camp was supervisor in 1809-19. In 1811 he organized an artillery company, and as captain offered their services to Gov. Tompkins on the declaration of war in 1812, to have a taste of battle in July following. As a speaker and leader among men he commanded an acknowledged position. He delighted in holding up the Roman as one proud of his citizenship, the Spartan for exalted patriotism, and Washington and associates as examples possessing like, and all the added, qualities desirable for emulation. On civic and national celebrations he exalted these deeds and virtues. As a result, some one facetiously remarked upon a grand fête day, "Make way for Greece, Rome, and 1776 -three guns ! "

The establishment of schools in our own and neighboring counties gave him great satisfaction. Lowville Academy, Belleville Union Academy, and Watertown Institute received their stimulus from his encouraging patronage and princely gifts for those days.

Commercially Mr. Camp engaged with associates in building the steamer Ontario in 1816, which was the first built upon any lake, to "test the possi- bility of a boat being propelled against waves." Success led to the building of steam and other craft, which secured an active commerce, that made Sackets Harbor for many years a place of note.

The want of water-power for manufacturing purposes was taken into serious consideration by the citizens of Sackets Harbor in 1828. Mr. Camp undertook the direction of constructing a canal from Black River, above Watertown, which was completed in 1832. He gave his untiring energies to this work, proving his faith in the enterprise by creating saw-mills, a paper, plaster, and flouring-mill, and also a furnace and machine shop. About this time the surplus waters of Black River were diverted at Boonville as a feeder to the Erie Canal, causing all the outlay, individually and collectively, a fail- ure. His extensive purchases of land here and abroad were sacrificed with their largely increased value, to a considerable degree, in his endeavors to advance the importance of this and neighboring localities.

The Presbyterian and Episcopal churches were built in the early stirring times, in which Mr. Camp took a decided interest, accompanying his mate- rial aid with official membership in each. His family were among the first and prominent members of the Presbyterian Church ; Mr. Camp later on. Nelson's work on infidelity established his belief in Christianity : to promul- gate its views he purchased a complete edition and sent them out by the hands of young men studying for the ministry, supplying horses and convey- ance to expedite the work.

His marriage to Sophia Hale, of Catskill, was a most happy event. She

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was as lovely in character as in person. A large family blessed the union- six sons and four daughters, two sons dying in infancy. Elizabeth, lately de- ceased, married Rev. Dr. J. R. Boyd, Geneva ; Sophia, Edgar Day, Catskill, N. Y .; Mary, Hamilton Spencer, Utica ; Harriette, F. F. Folger, Esq., Hud- son, N. Y .; George, Elisha, Edgar, and Erskine married most estimable ladies, who, with their families, survive them. Mr. Camp's military spirit was. infused into his sons as a ruling force. George was educated to the law, taking part in the war of the Rebellion. Elisha E. and Erskine M. reached to captaincies in the U. S. A. Edgar entered into commercial and banking enterprises before finding a home in the West.

Politically Mr. Camp sympathized with the early founders of the govern- ment, of the Washington and Hamilton school. As a Whig he was foremost in pressing the claims of his party, once running for Congress when the state was too strongly Democratic to secure a seat. When the border war of 1838 disturbed our relations with Canada his influence was felt in quelling the excitement on the frontier. Age and infirmities had stolen upon him when the South began the war to dissolve the Union to which he had been so devotedly attached. This aroused his indignation and old-time patriotism, but the " old set," with whom he had celebrated our victories and national achievements in the past, were all gone. He felt keenly the want of their sympathizing presence, to fight their battles over again in words if not in deeds.

At the time Vicksburg was besieged the writer, unseen, recognized his: stalwart figure as it was disclosed at momentary intervals by flashes of light- ning, as he stood partially hidden by the foliage about his mansion. His manner was as impressive and dignified as if standing to review the armies of heaven. The storm beat upon us with blaze and report of fearful intensity, to which a saddened yet commanding voice replied, " Yes, God's artillery is warring grandly with the elements, grandeur and sublimity attest His power, but just now give me Grant's artillery to sweep this cursed rebellion and its. flag to perdition."

Colonel Elisha Camp, by which title he was familiarly known, survived Mrs. Camp only 12 days : September 13, 1866, aged 77 years ; September 25, 1866, aged 80 years.

COLONEL WALTER B. CAMP.

George Camp, father of the subject of this sketch, came to Sackets Har- bor in the winter of 1816-17, and established the first printing office in Sackets Harbor, issuing the first number of the Sackets Harbor Gazette in March, 1817. At this time his family consisted of Talcott Hale Camp, now president of the Jefferson County National Bank, and George Hull Camp, an extensive manufacturer, now a resident of Marietta, Ga. George Camp married Elizabeth Hitchcock, a native of New Haven, Conn., who at the time of their union was a resident of Utica.

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Geographical gazetteer of Jefferson county, N.Y. 1684-1890, Part 73

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