Geographical gazetteer of Jefferson county, N.Y. 1684-1890, Part 99

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 99

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).

Previous to this date, however, it had been used as a cloth-dressing estab- lishment by Calvin Blackstone, for a tannery by Firman Fish, and a tannery by

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Orrin Roberts,which was followed by L. A. Walker as a cooper shop. In 1844 it was left to fall into ruins, and some years since the high water carried off the dam and the buildings attached to the water-power, but the main building, which was erected in 1812, is yet standing, which is up from the creek on the margin of the highway. Since its disuse as a factory building it has been devoted to various uses, and for a time was used as a creamery or butter factory. On the 15th day of July, 1814, the Rutland Woolen Manufacturing Company made an agreement with Gershom Tuttle and Daniel Eames to dig a well for the use of the company.

I have thought it due to those who were most directly interested in the enter- prise of the Rutland Woolen Manufacturing Company that their names should be presented, as some of their descendants may call to mind the events of the past. In the settlement of any new country many very interesting events take place that are of great interest to those that come after them. Most of those who came and settled in Rutland were from the New England states, and were men and women who could endure toil and suffer privation from the luxuries of life. Only one decade had passed when this enterprise of the Rutland Woolen Manufacturing Company was organized, and the following persons were more or less interested in it until 1817 or 1818: Ethel Bronson, Daniel Eames, Eber Ingalsby, Thomas Hill, Abel Doolittle, John Oaks, Josiah Tyler, Gershom Tuttle, David Canfield, Joseph Hopkins, Nathaniel Kellogg, John Beecher, Benham Webb, Nathaniel Frink, Jacob Miller, Ira Phillips, Sydney Ball, Erastus Lathrop, David Thomas, Amandah Tucker, Thomas Rickerson, David Hicox, Ephraim Towne, Elisha Parks, Joseph Commins, Owen Riley, and Alvin Hunt. There are many other things of interest to our historical society connected not only with the town of Rutland, but of other towns of the county, which should be preserved, and I hope an interest will be manifested that will make the Jefferson County Historical Society one of the most interesting in this state.

In relation to the first library in Rutland I will read this document :-

" I hereby certify that more than 20 persons belonging to the town of Rutland, in the County of Jefferson and State of New York, have by writing under their hands signified their desire to associate themselves together for the purpose of procuring and erecting a Library, in the said town of Rutland, agreeable to law, and have subscribed for that purpose more than $100, and that more than two-thirds of said subscribers did assemble at the dwelling house of Amariah Tucker, in said Rutland (it being the time and place previously agreed on and appointed), and being so assembled did proceed to elect a chairman by ballot from among themselves to preside at said meeting, and did also elect by a plurality of votes Ethel Bronson, Hugh Henderson, Abel Sherman, Daniel Eames, and Curtiss Mallery to serve as trustees for said Library for the year ensuing, and did also agree that the style name or title by which the said Corporation shall be distinguished or known shall be the 'Rutland Farmers' Library.' Signed and sealed at Rutland the 11 day of November, A. D. 1806.

"ETHEL BRONSON, Chairman of S'd Meeting."

"SS. JEFFERSON COUNTY-SS. Be it remembered that on the twenty second day of Novem- ber, A. D. one thousand eight hundred and six, before me came Ethel Bronson, the subscriber of the within certificate, whome I am personally acquainted, an on oath declared that he did exccute the within certificate and that the facts therein stated are true, and I finding no ma-

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terial erasure or enterlineations therein do allow the same to be recorded. Perley Keyes, one of the Judges of the Court of Common pleas within and for the County of Jefferson."

The last librarian was John D. Randall, who was elected in 1843. Soon after his election he took the books to his house and the library ceased to ex- ist. Speaking of schools Mr. Eames said: The first settlers of Rutland, as soon as enough log houses were made to make them comfortable, gave their attention to schools, and in 1804 a subscription was raised to build a school- house by the following persons: Abel Sherman, Nathaniel Welch, Nathan Green, James Brainard, Thomas M. Converse, Daniel Eames, John M. Dole, Gardner Cleveland, Solomon Thompson, Artemus W. White, Orange Eno, David Y. Fitch, Francis Commins, Stephen Commins, Benjamin Commins, Samuel Brainard, Daniel Smith, Raphael Porter, Gershom Tuttle, Levi Hale, John Stanley, Jedediah Stanley, John Winslow. The subscription amounted to $250. A library was formed at Jonathan Graves's, called the Young Men's Library, about 1812, by the boys in the vicinity. It prospered until its boy patrons, coming of age, left the neighborhood. John Grannis was librarian.

At the time the county of Jefferson began to settle its territory was em- braced in two towns of Oneida County. All south of Black River was a part of Mexico, and all north of the river belonged to Leyden. The organiza- tion of Jefferson County, etc., has been noted in the County Chapter.

In a division of the II towns among the proprietors No. 3, or Rutland, fell to Henderson, who appointed Asher Miller, of Middletown, Conn., as his agent, June 6, 1799. As a consideration for removing to the town and com- mencing improvements he was allowed the choice of 500 acres wherever he might select at a very reduced price. Accordingly, in July, he opened a road from the river to near the center of the town, and fixed his residence and lo- cation about one-half a mile east of Rutland Center. During the year the following sales were made, viz .: September 21, 172 acres to Levi Butterfield ; October 3, 343 acres to Perley Keyes, William Keyes, and Amos Stebbins ; November 1, 391 acres to David Coffeen ; November 6: Goldsmith Coffeen, 312 ; Raphael Porter, 213 ; Israel Wright, 98 ; Jonathan and Clark Ross, 161; James Kilham, 141 ; Charles Kelsey, 116; Jephtha King, 137 ; John Dole, 154; Gardner Cleveland, 242 ; Warren Foster, 140 ; John Cotes, 134.

Among those that purchased in 1800 and 1801 were Danford and John Earl, Solomon Tuttle, Abel Sherman, Jacob A. Williams, Ezekiel Andrus, George White, Clift French, William Coffeen, Alexander Warner, Samuel Treadway, and Stanley Weeks. The total amount of sales during the three years was 17,549 acres, for $50,738.14. In June, 1803, Abel French suc- ceeded as agent, and the same year sold 2,313 acres for $7,112.60. The town was thus rapidly settled, the unsold parts being along the north and south bounds.

Early in 1804 Henderson assigned to Dr. Bronson his interest in the town. Dr. Bronson appointed his brother Ethel as agent, who served in that capac- ity until his death in 1825, when he was succeeded by George White, an ac-

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tive and prominent citizen and among the first settlers of the town, who con- tinued agent until the lands were sold and the accounts settled with the proprietor. The last of the lands sold was an island near Black River vil- lage, which was disposed of April 13, 1846. Dr. Bronson was a very gen- erous landlord, and treated his debtors with much lenity. On a visit to the town he found that a number holding contracts were unable to meet their payments. These he gave new contracts at a reduced rate. Ethel Bronson served the town as supervisor nine years.

The most reliable authority names Asher Miller, Henderson's agent, as the first settler in Rutland, he having located here in July, 1799. Most of those who purchased lands in that year came on early in the next spring, while many who purchased in 1800 settled the same year.

The first grist-mill built in the county was erected by David Coffeen, in 1800, on Mill Creek, at Felt's Mills, just above the lower bridge. It was put in operation in 1801, and the first grist ground was for William Hadsall, of Champion. This was a great improvement on the "stump mortars," and was resorted to from great distances. After being in operation about two years the mill was burned. In 1804 Wolcott Hubbel bought out Coffeen and rebuilt the mill, which he subsequently sold to Barnabas Eldridge. From Eldridge the property passed to Barnabas La Grange, and in 1813 to John Felt.

The first saw-mill in town was erected at Felt's Mills in 1801, and about the same time the first framed house in town was erected on the lot known as the Jacob Tooker lot, situated nearly opposite Felt's Mills school-house. This ancient building was still standing a few years ago and was used as a barn.

Joseph Warden, Sr., formerly settled in Rutland, from Halifax, Vt., in the fall of 1803. He bought the farm known as the Lewis Clark farm (or a por- tion of it), of Morgan Starks, who was the original purchaser, and lived there until his death in 1817. In 1807 he opened a public house, and continued that business until he sold his farm to Elisha Clark in the year of his death. Mr. Clark discontinued keeping the hotel. According to the recollections of Ezekiel Andrus and Ezra Worden* Dr. Hugh Henderson opened the first tavern in town, at Rutland Center, but Hough's History names Levi Butter- field as the first inn-keeper, and the town records seem to confirm the latter statement. As the town meetings for the years 1803, '05, and '06 were held at the dwelling house of Levi Butterfield the insertion of the word " dwelling" before "house" would rather imply that it was not a tavern. The first physi- cian in town was Dr. Hugh Henderson.

In 1803 there were but nine farms occupied on or near the Rutland Hollow road. The occupants were William Newton, John Cotes, John Eddy, Morgan Starks, Robert Adams, Stanley Weeks, and three men by the name of

* Written in 1876.

Moses Games

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Maltby. There were but two families settled between the Hollow and what is now Felt's Mills, viz .: those of Elihu Veber and Jacob Fuller. At the latter place a very few settlers had located. Among those who had located in the northi part of the town about this time were Richmond Howland and his brothers Rufus and David, Jonathan Graves, Asa, Elisha, Elias, and Archi- bald Clark, Asaph Chase, Reuben Scott, David Wilcox, Enoch Eddy and family, and David Veber. Zelotus Harvey, who had previously settled, was for many years a very prominent and useful citizen of the town, as a teacher, magistrate, supervisor, and inspector of common schools.

Among the incidents that retarded the prosperity of many of the settlers of the north part of the town was the following: A man by the name of John Harris, having a contract to deliver spars at either Montreal or Quebec, bought all the Norway pine on the Le Ray plains. Many of the settlers, thinking it a favorable opportunity to get a little ready money (an article very scarce in those days), contracted to deliver the spars on the banks of the river at $5 each. All except Enoch Eddy and Asa Ness, who delivered 100, after de- livering a part failed to fulfill their contracts, as it cost much more to deliver them than they were to receive. In floating the spars down Black River 1 1 men were drowned, and those who failed in their contracts were sued by Harris for damages. This reduced many of them to poverty.

An event in the early history of the town, and one which caused much sympathy, was the death of Avery Worden. On the afternoon of the 26th of February, 1810, the first school exhibition held in the town of Rutland was given at Heath's tavern, at Rutland Center. The school was taught by Charles Dayon, afterwards a prominent citizen of Lewis County, member of Congress, Senator, etc. It being something new the house was crowded with spectators. Ezra Worden, and his brother Avery, aged 12, started for home afoot about 6 o'clock P. M., the snow being fully five feet deep. The road between the turn west of O. Phillips's and the Hollow road had not been opened that winter. In passing over that part of the road at the top of the hill Avery became so overcome with cold and weariness that he could go no farther. Ezra attempted to draw him through the snow, and succeeded in drawing him about 100 rods, when, his strength failing, he was obliged to leave him in order to obtain assistance. He proceeded to Benjamin Weeks's house, near the Hollow road, where he arrived between 11 and 12 o'clock. Benjamin Weeks and Robert Sword put on their snow-shoes and went after Avery, whom they found alive, but he died before he could be got to a house. Ezra became unconscious soon after arriving at Mr. Weeks's, and remained so about 12 hours. He was frozen even worse than his brother, and only by superior endurance was his life saved.

Francis Towne, the father of Gardner and Luther H. Towne, came with his family to Rutland in January, 1804. His wife, Relief Towne, was killed by lightning August 16, 1804. She was found dead near the corner of the house, where she appears to have been engaged in fixing a tub to catch rain

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water. This was undoubtedly the first death in the town. The first child born in Rutland was Harriet Kelsey, daughter of Charles and Lois Kelsey. She became the wife of Alfred Pardee, who eventually settled in the bend of the river in Champion. The first twin children born in town were Robert and William Middleton, sons of John Middleton. Robert died at Felt's Mills.

The father of Ezekiel Andrus migrated from Utica to this town, and brought his family, consisting of himself and nine children (his wife having died several years before). His conveyance was a two-wheel cart, one yoke of oxen, and a horse-the horse carrying a part of the time two and often three of the girls of the family on their way to the " Black River wilderness." One of the girls afterwards became the wife of Danford Earl, another of War- ren Spaulding. A bark shanty sheltered the large family until a more com- modious dwelling could be provided.

The State road was laid out where it is now located, about 1805, previous to which date the road diverged from its present line from Samuel Frink's. farm southwesterly, and came out at J. F. Treadway's present residence.

One of the oldest landmarks in town (in 1876) was a framed house, un- doubtedly the second erected in town, built by Solomon Tuttle about 1803. It was still standing a few years since on the farm of Mason Spaulding.

The pioneers of Rutland were mostly from the New England states, and were generally intelligent, robust, and industrious. They were distinguished for their sound common sense, their love of justice, and the early interest they took in education. Most of them came here with scarcely enough of the world's goods to make them comfortable. Their peculiarities might be illustrated by many an anecdote, but we will let the following suffice:

A curious phase how justice was administered in the early settlements was one of an anomalous character held before Daniel Eames, Esq., as follows : A suit arose on account of 20 bushels of wheat. The plaintiff to the suit could not prove his account except by the defendant's acknowledgment. The plaintiff called upon the defendant to be sworn ; he refused. The plaintiff then offered himself, but the defendant barred that out. Then the justice said to the defendant, " wont you be sworn nor allow the plaintiff ?" " No sir !" replied the defendant. Then said the sedate justice of the peace, " I shall give judgment against you for the amount of 20 bushels of wheat ; the judgment is $20." His explanation why he took so arbitrary judg- ment was, that on an appeal, the whole facts now concealed would came out.

The town of Rutland took an early interest in the subject of education. It was the practice, when a sufficient number settled in a neighborhood, to sustain the school, to erect a log house, and engage a teacher. The first of these houses in town was built in 1800 or 1801. Dr. Hough names Miss A. Porter as the first teacher. Soon after this a school-house was built on the Hollow road, a short distance west of the four corners. Miss Naomi Blackmer was the first, or one of the first, teachers here. This house was used but a short time, as many of the settlers lived at too great a distance.

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from it. In its place a house was erected farther west in the Hollow, and another near the site of the late M. L. Graves's residence, on road 20. In these rude structures the children of the pioneers of Rutland received the rudiments of education. Among the early teachers were Curtis Mallery, Jocob Fuller, Zelotus Harvey, Charles Dayon, and Jason Clark ; at a later date Horatio Sherman, Gardner Towne, A. P. Sigourney, John M. Dunlap, John Felt, the Misses Cornelia Johnson and Adeline M. Brown, and Elijah Graves. The latter commenced teaching in 1833 and continued for many years, when the citizens of Felt's Mills presented him with a testimonial that " age has not dimmed his zeal or made him rusty."

In December, 1807, Enoch Eddy and George White took each 35 bushels of wheat to Albany, which they sold for 80 cents a bushel.

CHURCHES.

The first record we have in relation to religious matters is of a visit to the settlements in Jefferson County by the Rev. James W. Woodward, in 1802. He collected $1 in Adams, 50 cents in Watertown, $3.47 in Rutland, $1.50 in Champion, and 25 cents in Brownville-Rutland contributing more than all the other settlements combined.

The records of religious societies in this town are very imperfect. The Bap- tists appear to have been the pioneers in organization. As early at least as 1806 the Rev. Mr. Maltby held services in both North and South Rutland, and a great revival was the result of his labors. It is presumed that societies, if not organized before, were then organized. Meetings continued to be held in both parts of the town. They were held for North Rutland in Charles Fuller's barn, about 80 rods west of Elisha Clark's, Rutland Hollow. A church was built near Deacon Fuller's, on David Veber's land, in 1821. Martin E. Cook was the first preacher in the new church. Some of those who preceded him in town were Elders Wilkie, Morgan, and Card. Elder Palmer Cross preached in the church several years. In 1837 the North Rut- land Church was reorganized. By a vote of the society in 1842 the church was removed to the great bend in Champion. The successors of Elder Cross were Elders Gardis Lyttle, A. D. Freeman, and John Wilder. The society at Tylerville reorganized in 1833 ; James Brown, Stephen Brainard, and Milo Maltby, trustees. We have not succeeded in obtaining a list of clergymen officiating there.

The First Congregational Church was organized by the Rev. William Lathrop, a missionary from Vermont, January 26, 1808, consisting of 10 members, viz .: David Tyler, Amos Mallery, Thomas Converse and wife, Timothy Tamblin and wife, Samuel Porter and wife, William Parkinson and wife. Amos Mallery and David Tyler were afterwards chosen deacons. It may be mentioned as indicative of the strict Puritanism of the early fathers of the church that Amos Mallery was objected to for the office of deacon on

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account of not having a wife, a deficiency which is contrary to the letter of the law. It is not now known whether the fathers of the church or the maiden ladies of the congregation raised the objection. The first religious society of Rutland was formed February 8, 1808, and Ethel Bronson, Timothy Tam- blin, John Reed, Thomas Converse, and Ebenezer Hayward were elected trustees. The successors of the Rev. Mr. Lathrop were Enos Bliss, Leaven- worth and Daniel Banks, who became pastors over this church and Water- town in 1815. On January 20, 1824, the church united with the Presbytery ; number of members, 87. Since then among the pastors have been Revs. David Spear, J. H. Rice, Hiram Doane, Henry Budge, and James Douglas.

The first church south of the State road was erected opposite the residence of the late Henry T. Hopkins, in 1819. It was removed and rebuilt some years since on the four corners about one-half mile west of its former site. The brother of Dr. Isaac Bronson, then residing in New York city, gave the site, and also the site for a parsonage. His interest in the ownership of the land of the town was considered the motive that promoted him to the act.

At what time the first Methodist Episcopal organization took place is un- certain. Itinerant preachers were in the town at a very early date. From 1804 to 1815 the whole county was included in the Black River circuit. Among the early preachers were Datus Ensign, Luther Bishop, Joseph Willis, Isaac Puffer, and Goodwin Stoddard. Many new circuits have been formed from Black River circuit. The first class organized in Rutland was in Rutland Hollow. Another, at the Cotes school-house on the farm of E. Crain, was organized about 1824 or 1826. The dates of the organization at Felt's Mills and South Rutland are not found. The first M. E. church in Rutland was built in Rutland Hollow about 1820.

Universalist societies have been organized at Tylerville, Felt's Mills, and Black River. The dates of these organizations are not known. Revs. C. G. Parsons, Pitt Morse, H. L. Haywood, J. P. Averell, O. Wilcox, J. H. Stew- art, and others officiating. The society at Tylerville is the only one that re- tains its organization.

The Church of Christ, or Disciples, first held meetings at Felt's Mills in 1857, Rev. Mr. Benedict officiating. A society was formed, includ- ing Black River, and at the latter place a small chapel was erected in 1871.

Rutland Congregational Church, located on Rutland middle road, was or- ganized January 26, 1808, by Rev. William Lathrop, and at its organization consisted of 10 members. Their house of worship, a wooden building, was erected in 1841. It will seat 300 persons, and is valued, including grounds, etc., at $3,000. The present membership is 50, under the pastoral charge of Rev. William H. Way. The Sunday-school has a membership of about 75.

Black River Methodist Episcopal Church, at Black River village, was or- ganized in 1833 by Revs. S. Orvis and I. S. Bingham, and Rev. Lewis Whit- comb was the first pastor. Their first house of worship was erected in 1848,

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of wood. Their present church edifice, also a wooden structure, was built in 1884, at a cost of about $3,000. It will comfortably seat 500 persons, and is now valued, including grounds, at $11,200. The present membership of the church is 198, under the pastoral charge of Rev. Robert Flint. The Sunday-school has a membership of 22 officers and teachers, and 175 schol- ars, with C. S. Mellen, superintendent.

The Christian Church at Felt's Mills was organized in 1871 by J. S. Hughes, the first pastor, and at its organization consisted of 30 members. Their house of worship, a wooden building, was erected in 1844, and occu- pied as a union church. It will comfortably seat 150 persons, and is valued, including grounds, etc., at $1,500. The present membership is 35, with no regular pastor. The Sunday-school has 35 members, with J. Cotton, super- intendent.

The union church at South Rutland, occupied by the Methodists and Universalists, was organized July 2, 1872, by Rev. Mr. Tomlinson, the first pastor, with 34 members. Their house of worship was erected of wood in 1872, will comfortably seat 200 persons, and cost about $1,400. The pres- ent membership is 34, and Rev. Mr. Danforth is pastor.

MOSES EAMES.

The Eames family, of Massachusetts, were early settlers, the emigrant Thomas Eames coming from England in 1630. In 1640 he married and settled in Dedham, Norfolk County, Mass. By his wife, Margaret, he had three children. In 1662 he removed to Sherburne, now a part of Framing- ham, with his second wife, Mary Paddleford. Of their six children, two were killed with their mother by the Indians, February 1, 1676, in King Phillips's war. The four others were taken prisoners. Thomas Eames died January 25, 1680. He was a man well-to-do for the times.

The line of descent to Moses is Thomas 1, Nathaniel ", Daniel 3, Daniel 4, Daniel 5, Moses 6. Daniel " was one of the pioneers of Jefferson County and a prominent factor in its growth. He was born March 11, 1767, in Hopkin- ton, Middlesex County, Mass. In April, 1794, he left Massachusetts with his wife, three children, household furniture, and an ox.team, and May 16 they occupied a log-camp, which Mr. Eames hastily put up, about eight miles from Rome, and five miles out in the wilderness. In the spring of 1801 he went to No. 3, now Rutland, and "took up " 160 acres. Here he cleared land, built a log house, and, in the spring of 1802, he moved his family hither. This house was on the site of the old homestead destroyed by fire February 18, 1887. Mr. Eames passed a long and useful life on this place, and died at the age of 88 years, September 15, 1855. His wife, Mollie K. Wight, died February 4, 1842, aged nearly 74. They had a family of 13 children, of whom Moses was the ninth son and twelfth child.

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Geographical gazetteer of Jefferson county, N.Y. 1684-1890, Part 99

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