Growth of a Century : as illustrated in the history of Jefferson County, New York, from 1793 to 1894, Part 121

Author: Haddock, John A. 1823-
Publication date: 1894
Publisher: Philadelphia, Pa. : Sherman
Number of Pages: 1094

USA > New York > Jefferson County > Growth of a Century : as illustrated in the history of Jefferson County, New York, from 1793 to 1894 > Part 121

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WILLIAM U. DAVIS was born in 1830. He married Sarah S., daughter of Joseph and Mary (Wiles) McKee, in 1851, by whom he has two sons and a daughter, viz .: Foster L., born in 1852 ; Frank P., born in 1857, and Mary L. The latter married Fenn Bishop, in 1884, and they have a daughter, Leah Pearl,

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born in 1888. Frank P. married Julia, daughter of Gustavus H. and Clara Noble Johnson, in 1878. William U. has served his town as assessor. He is a cattle drover and farmer, and resides on road 120.

CYRENIUS F. EASTMAN, son of Aaron R., was born in 1824. When seven years of age his parents removed to Hannibal, Oswego county, where he was reared upon a farm, and learned the cooper's trade. He married Ann E., daughter of Milton and Margaret (Nelson) Wilson, in 1847, and they have one son, Legrand De Forest, born in 1853, who is now married and resides in Fulton, N. Y. His wife died in 1870, and the same year he married Marion M., daughter of Amos and Hannah (Dean) Wood. Mr. Eastman re- turned to Ellisburgh in 1882, and occupies the A. E. Wood farm, at Woodville.

SAMUEL J. ANDRUS was born in Ellisburgh, August 5, 1823, and was reared upon a farm. He married, first, Elizabeth, daughter of Eli Farr, in 1850, and she died in 1858. For his second wife he married Laverna Stillman, of Union Square; and for his third wife, Marian B., daughter of Eben and Sally (Bronson) Abbott, in 1861. Mr. Andrus has kept hotel in Camden, N. Y., and Saginaw, Mich., and is now proprietor of the hotel at Pierrepont Manor.

CHARLES H. CASTER, JR., born in 1845, married Emeline A., daughter of Hiram and Ursula (Tremain) Buell, in 1867, by whom he has a daughter, Minnie, born in 1875. His wife died in 1881, and for his second wife he married Marion E., daughter of Jacob and Maria (Osborn) Ackley, in 1882. Edwin I. Caster was born in 1849. He married Sarah Jane Bemis, in 1876, and they have an adop- ted daughter. Charles H. Caster, Sr., died April 19, 1886. The Caster brothers own a saw, and grist-mill and box factory, and are also farmers, and reside at Wardwell Settle- ment.

GEORGE E. BULL, another of Ellisburgh's prominent and prosperous farmers, is the son of Alvah Bull, and was born in 1840. He was educated at Belleville Union Academy. In 1866 he married Miss Mary A. Brimmer, by whom he has had several children. Mr. Bull still occupies the old homestead farm near Rural Hill, and has made it a most at- tractive and valuable property. For many years Mr. Bull has served his town as assessor, though not at any time an office seeker, his pride being in his fine farm and thriving herds, rather than in office-holding.

ABNER MCOMBER DURFEE was born in Ellisburgh. His father, Benjamin Durfee, came from Rhode Island about 1820, on a coasting vessel to New York city, thence on a flat boat up the Hudson and Mohawk rivers to Rome, and thence by wagon through the woods and to a farm owned by his grandfather McOmber. The house which he built is partly standing to-day. When Abner was 12 years of age, the family removed to Mather's Mills, and about four years later came to Belleville village, where the young

man learned blacksmithing of James Frce- man, and where he carries on the business yet, although he, with his sons, has one of the best stocked hardware stores in the country, besides dealing largely in agricul- tural implements of all kinds. He has had four children, two daughters (deceased) and two sons, Charles Bradford and Abner M., Jr., both of whom are living. Abner M. travels for Emerson & Co., of Syracuse, and Charles carries on the store at home, in part- nership with his father. The family is among the most respected in Belleville vil- lage, and in fact any place where they are known.

GEORGE ARMSBURY was a native of Rhode Island. He was brought to Rensse- laer county, N. Y., when four years of age, and thence to Adams. At this time Collins F. Armsbury, the subject of this sketch, was 18 years of age. Later the family re- moved to the town of Ellisburgh, where the young man entered Belleville Academy. In 1840 he became a clerk in a store for three years, and while there entered upon the study of anatomy, physiology and kindred subjects, not with any view of becoming a professional man, but rather to employ his leisure hours in solid reading. He married Miss Amanda A. Boomer-a son, George C., being the result of the union, and he now lives in Northern Iowa. At the close of his term as a clerk, Mr. Armsbury purchased a small farm near Belleville, which he culti- vated for a few years, and then commenc- ed locating lands in Iowa and elsewhere, especially in Wisconsin. In the procuring of pensions he has been very successful ; and now at the age of 78 years his mental powers are unimpaired.

WILLIAM BRAYTON WRIGHT, a son of Chester Wright, was born in Henderson, and there raised until five years of age, when his parents removed to Belleville. He was educated at the Belleville Academy, after which he entered into mercantile busi- ness with his father, which he has continued since his father's decease. He married Miss Henrietta Dunham, of Watertown, and has one daughter, Lena. He is now treasurer of the village of Belleville, and one of its most respected citizens.

MRS. CAROLINE WILLARD FISKE came from Rutland county, Vermont, at seven years of age with Judge Ellis and his family in January, 1812. In 1822 she mar- ried Daniel Hudson Fiske, eldest son of the celebrated Dr. Fiske, of Massachusetts. They lived in Ellis village for eight years, where her husband was a merchant. After the death of her husband she spent many years in Vermont, returning thence some four or five years since. Although 90 years of age, Mrs. Fiske has a remarkable memory of events, and states them with great clear- ness and precision. A talk with her of the " olden time" is a liberal education in past events. She well remembers the fight at the mouth of Sandy creek, and all its details.

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She saw the great cable borne on the shoul- ders of stalwart men as it passed through Ellisburgh, and can relate many of the stir- ring scenes of the times. If a beautiful old age is the result of a contented, well-spent life, then has hers been pre-eminently so, and may it last unimpaired for many years to come.

WILLIAM B. DOANE, son of Ira Doane, was born in the town of Orleans, and raised on a farm in the town of Clayton until about 14 years of age, when the family removed to Belleville. He attended school at the Acad- emy for several terms, and in 1871 commenc- ed clerking in a store for his present partner, Mr. Chapman. He became a partner in 1877, and in 1879 married Miss Carrie D. Chapman. They have one daughter. Mr. Doane is a

business man of judgment and experience, and a member of the Baptist Church.

MARTIN D. SWAN, one of Ellisburgh's most prosperous farmers, is a son of Dewey Swan, and was born in 1838. He was raised on a farm and educated at Belleville Union Academy. In August, 1862, he enlisted in Company E, 10th N. Y. Heavy Artillery, and took part in the battles of Cold Harbor and Petersburg, serving also under General Phil. Sheridan, in the Valley of the Shenan- doah. For bravery and general efficiency he was promoted to the second lieutenancy of Company I, of the same regiment, and served until the close of the war. In 1866 he married Miss Frank Louisa Bull. Mr. Swan has given much attention to seed grow- ing, and handles thousands of bushels yearly.

HENDERSON.

THIS town comprises number six of the "eleven towns," and is the most westerly in the county, if we except the Galloo and Stony islands, which belong to Houndsfield. It was formed with its present limits, Febru- ary 17, 1806, from Ellisburgh. The first town meeting was held at the house of Reuben Putnam, March 11, 1806, at which Jesse Hopkins was chosen supervisor ; Mark Hop- kins, clerk; Lodowick Salisbury, Daniel Spencer and Emory Osgood, assessors ; Elijah Williams, constable and collector ; John B. Carpenter, Samuel Hubbard, poor- masters; Marvel Danley, Asa Smith and Anthony Sprague, commissioners of high- ways; George W. Clarke, Willis Fellows and Jedediah McComber, fence-viewers; Reuben Putnam, pound-master; Israel Thomas, James Barney, Levi Scofield, Thos. Drury, Calvin Bishop, Robert Farrell, Ben- jamin Barney, John B. Carpenter, William White, Simeon Porter, path-masters.

The successive supervisors have been as follows: 1806-10, Jesse Hopkins; 1811, Jas. Henderson, Jr .; 1812, Asa Smith; 1813, Mark Hopkins; 1814-15, Asa Smith; 1816, Mark Hopkins; 1817, John S. Porter; 1818, Noah Tubbs; 1819, Asa Smith; 1820-24, Noah Tubbs; 1825-26, Caleb Harris; 1827, Jona- than Bullard ; 1828-31, Caleb Harris; 1832, Peter N. Cushman; 1833-34, Caleb Harris; 1835- 37, Peter N. Cushman ; 1838-40, David Monta- gue; 1841, George Jeffers; 1842-43, John Carpenter ; 1844, Joseph A. Montague ; 1845, William McNeil; 1846-51, Henry Green, Jr .; 1852, Washington Bullard; 1853-55, Henry Green, Jr. [For years from 1855 to 1894, see p. 337 to 344.]

The present officers of the town of Hender- son are Adelbert A. Scott, supervisor ; Arthur M. Kilby, town clerk; Orlin F. Buell, James M. White, Fred Lane, Fred R. Babcock, justices of the peace; Albert W. Hungerford, commissioner of highways; M. H. Clark, collector; T. N. Lane, Rodney E. Howland, Robert W. Brodie, assessors.

This town fell to the share of William Henderson, of New York, one of the four who bought the 11 towns of Constable, and from him it derived its name. He was accustomed to spend a part of each summer here for several years, and remained inter- ested in the town till his death.

The shore of Henderson, along the lake, is irregular, being largely indented by Hender- son Bay, Ray's Bay, the bay at the mouth of Stony creek, Gravelly Bay, Boomer's Bay and several smaller bays, forming points and promontories, some of which are from 50 to 100 feet in height, of solid lime rock, and standing as silent wardens of the blue waters of Lake Ontario. More than half the bound- ary is formed by the waters of Henderson Bay and Lake Ontario. Big and Little Stony creeks flow through the town, the former furnishing water-power for numerous mills and manufactories. Several are now located on its banks, principally in Hender- son village. At its mouth is a harbor of easy access, and at one time it was hoped the government would establish a port here. Several vessels and barges were built at a ship-yard which was located immediately below the bridge crossing Big Stony creek, near its mouth. In 1808 the first one was built, and was capable of carrying a consider- able cargo of grain. It was afterward used in the lake trade.

The area of the town is 23,501 acres, which is surveyed into lots in 1801, by Ben- jamin Wright, of Rome. The surface of the town is much diversified. The south- western portion is low, but little elevated above the surface of the lake, and very fer- tile. Forming a ridge in its rear, and extend- ing around to Henderson Bay, is the ancient lake-beach; rocky, and for some distance covered by a very thin soil. At Henderson Bay the shores are higher and more abrupt, rising in some places almost perpendicularly from 50 to 75 feet. A rolling territory stretches off to the south and east until the

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bluffs of Big Stony creek are reached. This stream has cut a deep channel through the limestone rock, and aside from its interest to the geologist, it presents many picturesque and attractive features. East of Henderson village there is a basin of about 300 acres with marshy edges, which is filled with water, and is known as Henderson Pond. The principal feeder and outlet of this pond is Big Stony creek; rising from this basin still towards the east, and on a higher plane, is another lake or pond, somewhat larger in size, called Six-Town pond.

In other portions of the town there appear evidences of ponds, which are now dry ; the most of them are the work of beavers in forming dams. Big Stony creek has cut quite a deep channel from Henderson pond to the lake, leaving abrupt banks from 40 to 70 feet high. Running from Henderson Bay to the mouth of Sandy creek, in almost a straight line, there is a channel which is now but little elevated above the water, showing evidence of having been covered by the lake, thus making the westerly portion of the town at one time an island. Little Stony creek has also cut a deep channel through the lime rock from Six-Town pond to the lake, other than the lake shore, and following the channel of these creeks the surface of the town is nearly level.

Among the historical relics of Henderson may be noted the old French fortification on Six-Town point. This was established in 1756, more as a post of observation than as a place of military occupation and defense; al- though it no doubt protected to a certain ex- tent the old portage from the head of Hen- derson Bay to Stony Creek, by which the stormy, and to canoes, dangerous passage around Stony Point was avoided, as parties entering into or passing out from Henderson Bay would be completely under its guns. The fortification was a square, bastioned at each corner, with a block-house in the center. It is evident that the outworks were also built of upright timbers, stockade fashion, and that guns were mounted in the bastions. At the time the writer first saw it, some 18 years ago, there was yet a trace of the ditch and the bastions, although the place was covered with a growth of young timber, principally oak, with perhaps a few hickory trees. A measurement along the ditch showed only 48 feet on each side between the bas- tions ; so that the greatest extent of the stockade did not exceed 70 feet square. This fort was built in May, 1756, and is therefore 22 years older than Fort Haldimand, on Carleton Island. The reader will remember the surrender by George Washington, then a young Virginia Colonel, of "Fort Neces- sity," in Pennsylvania, to a French officer, in 1754. That officer was Sieur de Villiers, who, only two years later, with 500 men built the fortification . on Six-Town point. Capt. de Villiers was a distinguished officer in the French marine service, and had ac- companied Montcalm to Frontenac (Kings-

ton), whence he was sent to establish this post, by means of which he did much to an- noy the English, pillaging their munitions of war, and obliging them to use great precau- tion in provisioning the forts at Oswego. The reader will also remember that Montcalm cap- tured Oswego on the 17th of August, 1756, which post he made no attempt to retain, but fell back to Frontenac, and thence to Montreal. It is highly probable that the fortification on Six-Town point was evacuated at the same time; as it is evident that if Montcalm did not think Oswego of sufficient importance to garrison and hold, he would hardly leave a garrison at a mere post of ob- servation, built especially as an auxiliary to the conquest of the main point. What gives further color to the evacuation of this post at the same time with Oswego, is the fact that two years later Col. Bradstreet not only re-occupied Oswego, but captured Fort Frontenac and returned to Oswego. There is nothing in the history of that affair refer- ring to any fort on Six-Town point, nor any- where else between Oswego and Frontenac ; and it is not at all likely that Col. Bradstreet would have left so important a post unnoticed, had it been occupied at that time. Then, too, we find mention of Capt. de Villiers, in the operations of the French on Lake Cham- plain in 1757; so that it may be safely in- ferred that the place was evacuated on the retreat of the French from Oswego. At all events, it is an interesting historical spot, and worthy of notice.

On Stony Point, the extreme western pro- jection of Henderson, is a light-house, built in 1837. The lake-shore, from the mouth of Stony Creek northward and eastward is rocky, and free from bays of any kind be- tween there and Henderson Bay. When a steady west gale is blowing, the effect of the rolling waves and dashing breakers is most picturesque. In the other direction from Stony Creek the shore consists of almost bar- ren hills of sand, in the rear of which lie in many places extensive marshes. The wide, sandy beach is beaten hard, by the waters in the ebb and flow of centuries, and a drive along it affords much enjoyment. In clear weather the south shore is visible in a low, dim outline, appearing of nearly the same color as the water, and many of its choicest beauties of shore scenery are to be found in Henderson.

The town was surveyed into lots in 1801, by Benjamin Wright, of Rome ; the plan of sub-division being into lots and quarters. In 1805, lot No. 20, near the present village of Henderson Harbor, was surveyed into 20 lots, or four ranges of 10 lots each, for the pur- pose of a village.

The settlements in the town of Henderson began under the agency of Asher Miller, of Rutland, about 1802, the land-books showing that Thomas Clark, Samuel Stuart, Philip Crumett, John Stafford and Peter Cramer, had taken up lands in this town, to the ex- tent of 1,195 acres, Moses Barret, William

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Petty, Daniel Spencer, Captain John Bishop and sons, Alvin, Luther, Asa and Sylvester, Jedediah and James McCumber, Samuel Hubbard, Elijah Williams, Levi Scofield, William Johnson, David Bronson, John and Marvel Danley, Andrew Dalrymple, Lumam Peck, Jonathan Crapo, George W. Clark, Thomas Drury, Anthony Sprague, Daniel Forbes, Emory Osgood, and many others settled within two or three years from the opening of settlement, coming from New England.

On Henderson Bay, three miles east of the village of Henderson Harbor, a Scotch set- tlement was founded in 1803-7 by John and Duncan Drummond, Charles and Peter Bar- rie, Duncan Campbell, Thomas Bell, James Crouse, Daniel Scott, and James McCraull, from Perthshire in Scotland. A store was opened by C. Barrie in 1823, in this settle- ment, and kept several year. Abel Shepard located in the same settlement in 1806.

A paper showing the names of those who were living in town in 1809, reads as follows : A. Jones, R. Fesel, Jeremiah Harris, Horace Hatch, Samuel McNitt, Amos Hart, Samuel Hardy, Benj. Hammond, Samuel Jones, Daniel McNeil, Martin Morseman, Appleton Skinner, A. and I. Smith, S. Foster, W. Waring, Wm. White, Daniel Pierce, John B. Carpen- ter, Luther S. Kullinger, Lodowick Salis- bury, T. Hunsden, E. White and Thomas Bull. Dr. Isaac Bronson became owner of a large tract in 1807, which was sold and settled by a separate agency. Abel French succeeded Miller a few months in the agency, and April 8, 1805, an agreement was made between Wm. Henderson and Jesse Hopkins, by which the latter became the agent of this town and Pinckney, and continued in the em- ployment of Mr. Henderson many years. A pamphlet published by Mr. Hopkins in 1823, affords some interesting data relative to the early history of the town.

In 1803-4 but 10 families wintered in town. In May, 1806, there were 70 families, gener- ally middle-aged and young people with small property, but industrious and con- tented, although many were quite poor, who had exhausted their means and were destitute of provisions. A contract was made soon after for clearing 22 acres of land at the Har- bor, which the proprietor had hoped to establish as a commercial port, and caused to be surveyed into a village plot, to which he gave the name of Naples. The bay was named the Bay of Naples, and high expecta- tions were founded upon the future great- ness of the town. On the declaration of war, Sackets Harbor was selected as the great naval station of the lake, and both Mr. Hen- derson and his agent were, it is said, averse to having any military or naval operations undertaken at this place. In consequence it lost the opportunity, which, with judicious management and decided natural advantages, it might have secured.

Mr. Hopkins built a house and opened a land office near the town of Naples, which he

had laid out, the provisions being brought from Kingston, and the lumber from Ellis- burgh and Sackets Harbor. In 1807 a small store was opened, and an unsuccessful at- tempt made to bring business to the place. Among other measures Mr. Henderson pro- cured the passage of a law for the opening of a State road from Lowville to Henderson Harbor, which was laid out from Lowville into Pinckney, but never completed. He also, in 1809, caused a dam and saw-mill to be built on Stony creek, near the head of navi- gation, but the former gave way and the en- terprise resulted in a total loss. In the next season the dam was re-built and a mill erected at great expense. In 1811 a negotia- tion was held with Gen. Matoon, of Massachu- setts, for the sale of the township, but failed on account of the prospects of war. In 1812 Mr. Hopkins erected a large- sized school house at the Harbor, which was to serve also as a place for religious meetings. He also commenced the building of vessels at this place, the first of which was a schooner of 20 tons. Several large clear- ings were made on account of Henderson the year previous. Other vessels were built, and the place began to present the appearance of considerable business. Mr. Hopkins con- tinued in the agency until 1822, engaged in a series of speculations, some of which were successful, when he was superceded in the agency, and his improvements taken to apply on his liabilities.

About 1817 Samuel Nutting came from Columbus, Chenango county, N. Y., to Hen- derson. He was accompanied by his wife and one child. His brother arrived at nearly the same time. The Nuttings were the first permanent settlers in that part of the town, and for some years the only ones. Samuel Nutting purchased his place from his brother- in-law, Stephen Reed. Reed originally took up considerable land in the neighborhood, but sold it all to the Nuttings. Charles Car- ter, a brother-in-law of the Nuttings, located on a place half a mile west of Samuel Nutting's. These farms are all near the lake shore, and are among the most fertile in the town. In 1810 a man named Hill had settled on Stony Point, near Rag's Bay, and is remembered from the fact that just previ- ous to the battle of Stony creek he was seized by a British squad of soldiers and compelled to pilot the British expedition into the mouth of Stony creek.

The first actual settler was a trapper named David Bronson, who also set out the first orchard, the second being planted by Christian Salisbury. He built a log house on low land, about the center of town. In high water his house was flooded and he was obliged to move. Consequently he took up his abode farther east, on what is now known as "Bishop street," and finally located in the western part of town, on the land owned by Leonard Seaton. It was on this place he set out his orchard. Abraham Wilkinson, of Saratoga county, N. Y., settled in Jefferson

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county, in 1805, locating on Stony Island. Mrs. Silas Wilkinson's father, Paul Strick- ney, settled in the town of Adams about 1800, coming from Litchfield, Oneida county.

Jesse Hopkins, fourth son of Joseph Hop- kins, in 1805 became Mr. Henderson's agent for this town. He was born in Waterbury, Connecticut, May 20, 1766. His father was a prominent citizen. For 30 years he held the office of judge of probate, and died while in the discharge of his official duties. At the age of 17, Jesse Hopkins, on the visit of Generals Washington and LaFayette to his father's house, pleased the latter so well that he was made his aide during a series of mili- tary operations in that quarter. His youth prevented him from enlisting in the army, and his love of country from accepting the invitation of La Fayette to visit France and engage in a lucrative pursuit. In 1805 he was appointed an agent for Henderson.

Joseph Hawkins, a native of Connecticut, settled in Henderson about 1810, where he continued to reside until his death. He took a prominent part in the business of this section of the county, and after the war, became somewhat extensively engaged in the commerce of the lakes. In 1828 he was elected to Congress. Mr. Hopkins held for several years the office of county judge. He died in Henderson, April 20, 1822, aged 50. His friends, E. Camp and E. G. Merick, placed over his grave a tablet with the following inscription : The navigation of our lakes was relieved from grevious custom- house fees by his zealous efforts as Member of Congress in 1830.

Amasa Hungerford, from Bennington county, Vt., settled in 1810, at the locality now known as Hungerford's Corners, south- east of Henderson Bay. The present frame dwelling was erected by Amasa Hungerford in 1817, and remains in nearly its original shape. Mr. Hawkins was uncle to the mother of the celebrated poet, John G. Saxe. The Hungerford farm has several times, in the days of the first Jefferson fairs, taken the first premium as being the finest farm in the county.

Sylvester Finney, of Warren, Litchfield county, Conn., removed to Oneida county, N. Y., about 1794, when mostly a wilder- ness. Of his later removal to Henderson, his son, Rev. Charles G. Finney, the great Congregational revivalist, speaks as follows in his autobiography : "In the neighborhood of my father's residence we had just erected a meeting-house and settled a minister, when my father was induced to move again into the wilderness skirting the southern shore of Lake Ontario, a little south of Sackets Har- bor. Here again I lived for several years, enjoying no better religious privileges than I had in Oneida county." In 1812 Charles G. Finney left here and went to Connecticut, and from thence to New Jersey, locating near New York city, and engaging in school- teaching. In 1818 he returned to Jefferson county, and entered at an Adams law office

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Growth of a Century : as illustrated in the history of Jefferson County, New York, from 1793 to 1894, Part 121

Author: Haddock, John A. 1823- Publication date: 1894 Publisher: Philadelphia, Pa. : Sherman Number of Pages: 1094

Author: Haddock, John A. 1823-
Publication date: 1894
Publisher: Philadelphia, Pa. : Sherman
Number of Pages: 1094