Geographical gazetteer of Jefferson county, N.Y. 1684-1890, Part 8

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 8

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).

1828 .- Marenus W. Mathews, June Term.

1829 .- Edwin Dodge, June Term ; Edmund M. Eldridge, Stockwell Osgood, February Term.

1830 .- Horace How, William A. Greene, June Term.

1831 .- John W. Tamblin, Alfred D. Rathbun, Edward B. Hawes, William Ruger, February Term ; Andrew Z. McCarty, September Term ; William H. Shumway, Henderson Spencer, Jason Marsh, Dyer N. Burnham, Decem- ber Term.

1832 .- Albert Richmond, Samuel G. Watson, Sanford M. Green, June Term.

1833 .- Peter Yates, February Term ; Augustus Ford, September Term ; Nathan Rathbun, July Term.

1834 .- John S. Bagg, February Term; Anthony Ten Eyck, George A. Benedict, September Term.

1835 .- Ahera G. Eastman, Charles Mason, September Term.

1836 .- Gouverneur M. Bucklin, September Term; Cyrus H. Stone, December Term.

1837 .- Alonzo M. Watson, May Term ; Joseph Mullin, Westel W. Wager, December Term.

1838 .-- Frederick W. Hubbard, George W. Hungerford, September Term ; Wooster Sherman, December Term.

1839 .- George Camp, February Term ; William C. Thompson, Stephen G. Dodge, May Term ; Lysander H. Brown, Allen Nims, Randolph Barnes, John Henry Dutton, Charles D. Wright, September Term ; Nathaniel P. Ward- well, Joseph Curtis Pattridge, Jasper W. Gilbert, Joshua Moore, John F. Hutchinson, December Term.

1840 .- Marcus Bickford, February Term ; William A. Forward, May Term ; Lawrence J. Goodale.

JEFFERSON COUNTY.

1842 .- Joseph W. Brackett, George R. Fairbanks, May Term ; David J. Wager, December Term.

1843 .- Gould T. Curtis, February Term ; Eugene C. Leis, Luther J. Dor- win, James F. Starbuck, Wellington W. Butterfield, May Term; Laban H. Ainsworth, Charles W. Rogers, William L. Sherman, Albert A. Hawes, September Term.

1844 .- Edwin Clark, February Term ; Richard S. Hunt, James R. A. Per- kins, May Term ; John P. Brown, December Term.

1845 .- Augustus D. B. Goodale, Isaac Van Vleck, December Term.

1846 .- Levi H. Brown, William A.Gilbert, February Term ; Merritt Andrus, Stephen J. Hubbard, May Term ; Richard Ely, September Term ; Silas A. Webb, Edmund B. Wynn, William A. Ely, December Term.

1847 .- Samuel B. Starr, Samuel Wardwell, Alexander Wilson, Albert B. Gilbert, February Term ; Oliver Robbins, May Term.

Of the life and character of the judges of the early history of this county but little is necessarily known. Many of them were laymen, never having been members of the bar, and were appointed for political reasons, as well as for their prominent standing in the community. So far as can be ascertained, without much time and difficulty at this time, a brief statement of each man, not a lawyer, who officiated as a judge is here given, those who were at- torneys being mentioned with attorneys hereinafter given.

Augustus Sacket was a very estimable gentleman, from whom Sackets Har- bor took its name. He was part proprietor and agent of the lands comprised in that village. It does not appear from the record that he officiated in any of the courts of this county in any other capacity than that of first judge.

Perley Keyes resided in Watertown ; an able but uneducated man. He had extraordinary judgment upon all matters-a shrewd politician. Events of his life have been repeatedly written. In fact by nature he was a man of superior intellect and nerve. He was the father of Perley G. Keyes, known in his day as Gardner Keyes, and grandfather of Rev. Richard G. Keyes, now living in the old homestead in Watertown.

He died May 13, 1834.

Lyman Ellis was a quiet, unostentatious gentleman of Ellisburgh, one of the pioneers, and a long time agent for the lands there, and who gave name to the town.

Joseph Clark was a resident of Watertown, and a prominent business man, owning and carrying on the milling business below the lower bridge on the river, and is said to have mingled quite extensively in politics. He was father of the late Charles Clark, who died in 1880.

Eliphalet Edmonds resided in Adams. It is reported that while he held the office of judge he was indicted for blasphemy in his own court. He suc- cessfully defended himself on the ground that it was simply a theological dis- cussion ; and that such discussions were free under the constitution giving liberty of speech.

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Ethel Bronson was one of the early settlers of Rutland, was agent of the proprietors, and was the father of Isaac H. Bronson hereafter mentioned.

John Brown resided at Brownville ; was a brother of General Jacob Brown, of the army of 1812, from whose father the town took its name. "But in the mutations of life it retains now scarcely anything of this family or its. fortunes but the distinguished name."

Noadiah Hubbard was one of the very first settlers of the town of Cham- pion, and a resident there until a few years since, when he died nearly 100 years of age. He was the father of Frederick W. Hubbard, one of the jus- tices of the Supreme Court from 1852 to 1858, now deceased, and of Mrs. George C. Sherman, who is now living, and of Mrs. Robert Lansing now de- ceased.

Jabez Foster was " one of the early and enterprising merchants of Water- town, whose name and widely extended business were coincident with the early history and prosperity of the town and county, and who always mingled with its industry and enterprise."

Amasa Trowbridge was a surgeon in the army of 1812, under Maj .- Gen- eral Jacob Brown. After the war he settled in Watertown, and continued the family physician of Gen. Brown until the latter's death by apoplexy. He became one of the most eminent surgeons in the country. He was a man of great energy and nerve, lived to an old age, and died in Watertown a few years since.

Samuel Whittlesey .- See among the list of lawyers.

Elijah Fields resided in the town of Watertown, nearly on the line be- tween that town and Hounsfield, known as Fields Settlement, and was the owner of considerable land in that vicinity, and a hotel, which was kept there, and after was well known for years as the Myrick Brown place.

Calvin McKnight resided in Watertown, was an amiable and upright gen - tleman, not so noted for his legal ability or learning as for his integrity. He was the judge who gave the opinion on the office of demurrer.

Aaron Palmer resided in Champion, was a justice of the peace there, and in his own opinion was one of the most important men in the county. He kept the hotel in Champion village for years. His strict integrity and court- esy to all gained the confidence of his townsmen. He drew most of the contracts and conveyances in that section, and his want of knowledge of the requirements of such business has rendered the tracing of title through his deeds, in many instances, an impossibility at this day.

Hart Massey was born in Salem, N. H., December 5, 1771 ; came to Watertown in 1800; purchased a tract of land on which a portion of the city of Watertown is now situated ; moved his family here in 1801 ; and first re- sided in a house where the Paddock Arcade now is, then on the lot now owned by E. L. Paddock on Washington street. In 1812 he built the first brick house erected in the county, which is now standing on Massey avenue. He was appointed a judge in 1820. He was very efficient in the support of

JEFFERSON COUNTY.

the agricultural interests of the county. His numerous descendants are many of them among the prominent business men of the county, and useful mem- bers of society.

Thomas White resided in Rodman at the village called Whitesville, from whom the village was named. But little can be learned of his history, except that he was a prominent leading man in that community.

Abel Cole, judge and afterwards first judge of the county, also resided in Rodman, where his decendants, many of them, now reside.

Corlis Hinds resided in the town of Watertown ; was a farmer, living in a stone house which is now standing south of the city limits. He was called captain, having previously held that rank as a seaman.

William Hunter resided in Adams. His particular history has not been ascertained.

William Baker resided at Sackets Harbor, and is said to have been the father of the late Josiah Baker and Thomas Baker, but this information is not very well authenticated.

Wolcott Hubbell resided in Champion; was a resident there with Egbert Ten Eyck at an early day. He was the owner of considerable property in what is now called West Carthage.

William Robinson resided in Brownville. His business has not been ascer- tained. Some of his descendants now, or did lately, reside in the village of Brownville.

Samuel C. Kannady was a prominent lawyer, surveyor, and the agent of Le Ray, in addition to being judge. Many of the deeds of Le Ray are signed by Mr. Kannady as attorney. He is represented as having been an able lawyer and business man.

Joseph Hawkins resided in Henderson. There is no record of his acts, except in politics. He is represented to have been the first man that over- matched Perley Keyes in political management, having defeated him for Congress in 1828 .- See Hough's History, page 431.

Richard Goodell resided in Adams. He is remembered as a large and fine looking man, and as having ability and influence, and a strong Keyes man.

Zeno Allen resided at Sackets Harbor. There are many anecdotes related of him during his long period on the bench. His perceptions were slow. Sometimes, after others had ceased to laugh at some humorous story, he would break out laughing all alone, the gist of the story having just come through his mind. Yet he was of sound judgment, and had a good standing as judge.

Alpheus S. Greene was by profession a physician. He lived for some time at a place the other side of the bridge, across Perch River, on the road to Gunn's Corners. He moved thence to Watertown, and resided on the corner of Washington and Clinton streets until his death. He was reputed a good physician ; was influential and active in politics ; was postmaster at Water- town, and held other important offices from time to time.

George Brown resided at Brownville; was one of the most dignified and

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venerable men in the county. He was, during the most of his life, a justice of the peace in that town, before whom many important trials were had, and the best lawyers of the county did not hesitate to appear before him. It is said his court was, at all times, as dignified and orderly as the Supreme Court. He was postmaster for years, and had the utmost confidence of the com- munity in his ability and integrity. He was a member of the state Assembly in 1819, and secured the passage of the law erecting the town of Pamelia from Brownville, giving it the name of the wife of General Brown. He was paternal uncle of Lysander H. Brown, mentioned in the sketches of members of the bar.

John Macumber resided at Evans Mills ; was a man of even temper and cool judgment. He was the father-in-law of John W. Tamblin, an attorney of this court, and they occupied the same office together at Evans Mills for many years. He died at a very old age, highly respected by all.

Eldridge G. Merrick resided at Clayton ; was the most extensive lumber- man in the state, and the owner of the greatest fleet of vessels on the lake. He was the soul of honor and integrity, and of great financial ability. It is impossible to conceive of any motive he had in accepting the office of county judge. He held the office only a short time and resigned. Subsequently he removed to Detroit, and remained there the rest of his life.

Hiram Dewey lived in Orleans. He held the office during the latter part of the existence of the old Court of Common Pleas. He was a farmer until he became a large stockholder and an officer of the Jefferson County Agri- cultural Insurance Company, when he removed to Watertown, and resided there until his death.

John Thurman resided at the village of Dexter, in the town of Brownville ; was a clear headed man in business and on the bench. He discharged the duties of the office with remarkable ability for a layman.

Jason Clark resided at Plessis, in Alexandria. He was the general land agent for Woodruff and Stocking ; had been a surveyor for Le Ray for many years ; was repeatedly elected supervisor of his town. He was an intelligent and influential man, and well known throughout the county.

Joseph Boyer resided at Evans Mills, in Le Ray ; was a large land owner, and a man of considerable wealth. He died many years since, leaving a highly respected family, most of whom still reside in this county.

Thomas Waite resided in Rodman. He was the last of the judges ap- pointed by the governor. He died during the last year, highly respected by the community in which he lived.

This comprises all those who officiated on the bench during the existence of the old Common Pleas ; not lawyers by profession, as appears from the record. There are very few persons now living who remember these men or their history. What has here been written of them has been obtained mostly from the records, and in part from tradition, which is very unreliable as to accuracy. There are, doubtless, those now living in the county, if they could

JEFFERSON COUNTY.

be found, who could furnish a more detailed history of their lives. But the pub- lisher cannot afford the time or expense of searching them out. The location of each has been given, so that those seeking this information may readily find out such history. The names of the attorneys who sat upon the bench will be found in the list of lawyers.

To give the history and character of the members of this bar, which is re- puted to have, during the whole period, ranked second, if not first, in the state, may seem an easy task. But much time has been spent in searching records, and inquiring of persons in different localities, without ascertaining any thing very definite. Those living during the time, and who personally knew the facts, have passed away. What information has been gained is from the records, newspapers, and scrap books, and much from the very able address of John Clarke, in 1862, delivered at the dedication of the court- house. Much has been taken verbatim from these sources, indicated only by quotation marks. In confirmation of the difficulties here stated, and that the meagreness of the history is no disparagement of the great ability of the mem- bers of this bar, the following, from an eminent jurist, is here copied :-

" Of lawyers whose lives are devoted exclusively to their profession but little is necessarily known. His life is usually devoted to attaining results that cease to be of interest when the end is accomplished, and it matters not how great may be his talents, how extensive his learning, or unwearied his industry. Unless he has had leisure to compose judicial works he can leave little behind him that will interest posterity, or which will serve to show of what he was able. A forensic argument or the occasional report of a trial may survive; but such fragmentary memorials are not of themselves sufficient to prove that a man had attained to commanding eminence in a profession where general excellence depends upon the possession and thorough cultiva - tion of so many qualities. Eminent professional merit, the fruit of strong nat- ural ability, coupled with great industry and experiences, has, during the life- time of its possessor, but a few select admirers ; and when he has passed away from the stage of life there is nothing but their recollections to float him down the stream of time, until he is lost in the mist that finally enshrouds- all that is traditional."

. Benjamin Skinner was the first surrogate of the county, and held the office until February 12, 1811. He was then appointed county clerk, and held this office till February, 1813. He was succeeded by Richard M. Esselstyn, who held the office till February 16, 1815, when Skinner was again appointed such clerk, and held the office until June 3, 1820, when he finally retired from office. He had some considerable practice as an attorney, and was reputed an excellent clerk and a substantial man. He must have employed some sub- ordinate to keep the records, not very proficient in the business, as they were not very well kept, either in order or penmanship. Mr. Skinner lived the remainder of his life and died at the residence of his son-in-law, George Webb, between Watertown and Evans Mills.

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Moss Kent was a brother of the Chief Justice and Chancellor James Kent, and first located in Champion. Soon after he removed to Le Raysville and went into the office of Mr. LeRay as land agent, where he remained for many years. In 1810 he was appointed first judge of the county, which office he held until February 26, 1818. He was also elected to Congress. Mr. Clarke's address says of him: " He was a brother of James Kent, with very little share of the talent or learning of that great luminary of law and equity. In this is exemplified one of the freaks of nature, or else the influ- ence of circumstances over the character and fortunes of men. Here the one brother, a star of the first magnitude in the constellation of eminent jurists ; the other, though educated to the law, a plodding land agent in the new county of Jefferson, and judge of its Common Pleas."

Egbert Ten Eyck "graduated from Williams College in Massachusetts, read law in Albany, and moved to Champion soon after 1800. After remaining there a few years, and soon after the organization of the county, he removed to Watertown and opened a law office. In 1812 he was elected to the Assembly, and in 1820 was appointed first judge of the county, and held the office for nine years. He ran for Congress in 1822, but was defeated by Ela Collins, of Lewis County. He ran in 1824 and was elected. He was one of the side judges of the Jefferson Common Pleas in 1840. He took an active part in the promotion of religious, agricultural, and other inter- ests in this county, and for 40 years was a prominent citizen, and was one of the most trustworthy and reliable lawyers. He died in Watertown in 1844, at the age of 68 years. He was father-in-law of the late Judge Mullin." The above is taken from a scrap book ; the writer is unknown.

Elisha Camp resided at Sackets Harbor, and the records show that for a number of years he did an extensive law business. He was surrogate from February 26, 1813, to June 27, 1815. He was a member of the firms of Wright & Camp and Ely & Camp. In a few years he went into other busi- ness, and gradually abandoned the practice of law. He became one of the most prominent men in the county. His history is elsewhere written.

Thomas Skinner, one of the first attorneys admitted in this county, is said to have resided in Adams. He became a partner for a few years with Micah Sterling, under the name of Skinner & Sterling ; but soon his name disap- pears from the record, and but little of his character or history is known.

Isaac W. Bostwick resided at Lowville, Lewis County. The record shows that he did a large business in this county, in almost every term of the court, for a number of years in his own name, and as Bostwick & Allen and Bost- wick & Collins. He was land agent for the original proprietors of a large tract of land, and finally gradually left the law, and lived the rest of his life in the enjoyment of a large estate, and died full of honors.

John Kirkland, of whom nothing is positively known, appears upon the

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record but a very few years, but has been supposed to have gone to Oneida County.

Samuel Whittlesey resided in Watertown; was the first district attorney appointed for the county, which office he held from 1808 until 1813; and was one of the judges in 1815. He was an able lawyer with an extensive practice, and highly respected until the event elsewhere recorded, when he sank into obscurity and disgrace.

Thomas Y. Howe resided in Brownville. He was educated for and officiated as an Episcopal minister. He was a man of great learning, of commanding presence, and an eloquent speaker. For some cause he left that profession and entered upon that of law; but he lacked that practical talent so requisite for success in that profession. He was in every way qualified to adorn the office of bishop in his church, for which office, it is said, he was a candidate before his fall. It has been said that the charges against him were false, and the moral and religious life led by him ever afterwards tends strongly to confirm that opinion.

Amos Benedict resided at Watertown. " He graduated at Yale College in 1800; studied law with Tapan Reeve, of Connecticut, (the noted lawyer, and author of Reeve's Domestic Relations,) and settled in Watertown in 1807. He was among the very first attorneys who located in Watertown, and was appointed district attorney in 1810. He died in 1814, and before the full development of talents and abilities as a lawyer. Yet from a small business at court he had before his death as much as any of the other mem- bers. He was profound and brilliant ; and although his career was brief, yet he left a record behind him which still remains. He resided in a house which stood where the mansion of the late Oscar Paddock now stands, and out of which it was constructed. His family occupied that house as late as 1840. He was the owner of considerable real estate in rear of it, through which Benedict street runs, and after whom the street was named.

Henry R. Storrs first located in Champion, and was one of the original pro- prietors of that township. How long he remained there is not ascertained ; but he at some early day removed to Whitesborough, Oneida County. But he attended almost every court here till after 1823. Mr. Clarke in his address says, that at the first Circuit Court held in the new stone court-house, in 1822, he first heard the ponderous eloquence of Henry R. Storrs. He subsequently removed to Connecticut, and was for many years the chief judge of the Supreme Court of that state, and so continued until his death.

Lyman Munson resided at Adams, and, judging from the record, was an attorney of good standing and had a good practice. He was surrogate from April 2, 1816, to November 26, 1820. His name is not in the list of attor- neys in the state in 1821.

Ela Collins resided in Watertown for some time, and removed to Lowville ; was a partner of Isaac W. Bostwick ; was elected to Congress ; was a very

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able lawyer. He left an impression upon the community in which he lived, which is felt to this day.

Artemus Stoel .- After much inquiry nothing of him is known. He had some business as attorney and some as a party litigant for three or four years, and then his name disappears from the record.

Micah Sterling was born in Lyme, Conn., November 5, 1784 ; entered Yale College in 1800, and graduated in 1804. He was a classmate and a great per- sonal friend of John C. Calhoun during his life, and corresponded with him during the whole period, except during the nullification times. He at- tended a course of law lectures in Litchfield, Conn., and afterwards studied law with Judge Williams, at Utica. Helocated in Adams about 1809 ; and it is here that he formed a partnership with Thomas Skinner, under the firm name of Skinner & Sterling. He was admitted to the Common Pleas in 1811, and soon thereafter removed to Watertown. He built the stone hotel called the Mansion House, located about where the Iron block now stands, kept by Luther Gilson. On this lot was his first office. He bought a tract of land and built thereon the stone mansion, where his son, Rev. John C. Sterling, now resides, and surrounded it with a beautiful park, long known as Sterling's Park. He was elected to Congress in 1821, and in 1836 to the state Senate. Soon after the admisson of Isaac H. Bronson as an attorney, in 1823, he formed a copartnership with him under the name of Sterling & Bronson, and so continued till 1840. Mr. Sterling from the beginning of his practice took one of the most prominent positions at the bar. He was tall, strongly built, and dignified in his deportment. He was a fluent speaker and cogent rea- soner ; and during the term of their copartnership the firm of Sterling & Bronson was at the head of the profession in this county. He died April II, 1844, the same day of Judge Ten Eyck's decease.

Alfred Lathrop resided in Champion village for many years. He was the agent of Champion & Storrs, the original proprietors of that township, until the lands were all sold. He removed some time prior to 1840 to West Carthage, and engaged in farming, manufacturing linseed oil, etc., and lived to an old age, highly respected and esteemed by the community. He left a large fam- ily who left in early life for different parts of the county, one, Dr. Lathrop, going to the Sandwich Islands. There is not a representative of the family now living in this county.

Of Popham and Radcliff nothing can be learned. The name of William S. Radcliff appears in the list of attorneys for the state of New York in 1821, as located in the city of New York, and is supposed to be the same person.

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Geographical gazetteer of Jefferson county, N.Y. 1684-1890, Part 8

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