Growth of a Century : as illustrated in the history of Jefferson County, New York, from 1793 to 1894, Part 138

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 138

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Stone was so cheap that a building of that material was almost as cheap as one of wood. Between stone and frame the log houses were rapidly superseded, and by 1830 they had mostly disappeared, at least on the main roads.

Another improvement of considerable note in its day was the "Pamelia Farmers' Scien- tific Library," which was incorporated April 1, 1822, having for its first trustees John Stewart, Russel Weaver, Joel Nims, Simeon Woodruff, Ansel Mills, Thomas Goodrich and William Cole. There were about 60 shares, each costing two dollars and a half. Each man could draw books to the amount of his investment. Every three months all books were required to be returned, and a new draw was made. If two or more persons desired the same book they had to bid for the privi- lege of drawing it. The library was always kept at Hiram Woodruff's, and some times quite a spirited scene ensued, when two or three farmer boys in pursuit of knowledge were struggling for a drink at the same fountain.

" How much for this book ?" would be the inquiry of Librarian Woodruff.

"I bid five cents" would probably be the reply of some youthful son of Pamelia, for the financial condition of the people was not such as to gratify any extravagance.

"Eight cents," would be the response of a rival.

" Ten cents."

" A shilling."

These were high notches, and unless the volume was in great request, or thespirit of rivalry was very strong, it was " knocked down" on reaching the latter bid. Some- times, however, fifteen cents was bid, and in

a few extraordinary cases the enormous sum of twenty cents was reached. Good, solid mental food, too, was afforded by the little library-Volney's Ruins, the works of Jose- phus and Stewart's Intellectual Philosophy being a portion of its contents. But ere long school libraries began to be formed, some of the stockholders moved to more distant localities, the interest fell off, and about 1850 the Pamelia Farmers' Scientific Library was, by mutual consent, divided among its owners.

By an act passed April 1, 1824, a small part of Penet Square, east of Perch Lake, was taken from Orleans and annexed to Pamelia. It was from one to two miles wide east and west and three miles north and south, making the total length of Pamelia a little over eleven miles. The same act directed the name of the town to be changed to "Lean- der" after the first of the following March, but this clause was repealed before it went into effect.

It is now a matter of history that Joseph Bonaparte, probably about 1824, built a large stone mansion on the shore of Perch Lake, in Pamelia, in which he resided for several years, it being convenient for com- munication with his friends at Cape Vincent as well as with Mr. LeRay at LeRaysville. At this Perch Lake mansion he entertained with a generous hospitality-attracting thither many of those Bonapartists who came to America and were only waiting a favorable opportunity to restore the sway of that great name once more to their beloved France.

The house stood for many years after the ex-King had gone to his long home, and was utilized as a farm dwelling. Walter Collins, once sheriff of Jefferson county, for a time resided in that house, and from it he came to Watertown when elected sheriff. It is not now in existence, scarcely one stone standing upon another. It has departed from the material world as effectually as has that once powerful house from political importance- its name only a memory, its fortunes utterly ruined. France will never again welcome such a ruler, for he taught the young men war, and left their bones to bleach from Moscow to the Danube, and even distant Egypt furnished graves for his conscripts, who preferred the path of glory to the simpler walks of peace.

POST-OFFICES

Were established both at Pamelia (in the pre- sent city district) and Pamelia Four Corners as early as 1830. In 1831 the postmaster at the latter place was S. Comstock. In 1837 it was Abram M. Harger. In 1830 the popula- tion of the town (including the present city district) had risen to two thousand one hun- dred and four. The county poor-house was erected in this town, on the north bank of Black river, just below the present city line, in 1834.

There is little to record in the quiet life of a farming community after the hardships and

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dangers of pioneer life are passed. A few mills and factories were erected on Black river, opposite Watertown, where a small village gradually grew up, but this having lately been united to that city, its history is necessarily given in the chapters devoted to the city. Within the present town the forest receded still more before the farmer's axe. In even the backwoods the log houses were superseded by frame or stone ones. It was soon ascertained that the soil was admirably adapted to the production of grass, and stock-raising and dairying consequently be- came the principal business of the inhabit- ants.

It was not until 1847 that there was any separate religious organization in the town, in which year a Methodist Episcopal class was organized at Pamelia Four Corners.

The Potsdam & Watertown Railroad was finished in 1850, running about two miles through the southeast corner of the present town of Pamelia. It afterwards became a part of the Rome, Watertown & Ogdensburg road. In April, 1853, the Cape Vincent branch of the latter road was completed, of which about a mile and a quarter is in the southwest corner of Pamelia.

In 1850 the population of the town, as then constituted, was 2,204, and in 1860 it was 2,789. In the war for the Union, Pamelia played her part as zealously as any of her stronger sisters, as will be seen by the many names of her gallant sons to be found in the military record of the county.

On the 8th of May, 1869, the city of Water- town was incorporated, including within its borders about 700 acres of the territory of Pamelia, over 1,200 of its population, and all its principal business establishments. This reduced the population of Pamelia, so that in 1870 it was only 1,292. In 1875, according to the State census it was 1,055. In 1890 it was 1,104,

Considering the especial adaptability of the town to dairying it was a matter of course that, on the introduction of cheese-factories into the county, they should soon become numerous in Pamelia. But what distin- guishes this from the large majority of cheese-making localities is the extent to which it is devoted to the manufacture of "Limburger" cheese. The milk of 2,000 cows is used for the production of this pecu- liar article of diet, and a few years since there were no less than eleven Limburger cheese-factories in town. There are now two or three less. This cheese, made by merely drawing off the whey, letting the curd dry in moulds about the size of a brick, and curing it by repeatedly rubbing salt on the outside, finds ready market wherever Germans reside, and great quantities are shipped from Pa- melia to New York, Philadelphia and other large cities. When the traveller in that town meets a wagon headed toward Watertown, laden with wooded boxes, from which comes a powerful odor (very fragrant to those who like it), then he may know that another load

of Pamelia's favorite product is on its way to gladden the hearts of our Teutonic fellow citizens.

There is also an English cheese-factory at Pamelia Four Corners, using the milk of about 400 cows. This little village, the only one in the town, contains one small store, two wagon shops, two blacksmith shops, two shoe shops, one cooper shop, one harnees shop, a post-office, and about twenty-five houses. It is eight miles from Watertown, about four from the northern extremity of Pamelia, and adjoins the line of LeRay, two or three of the easternmost houses being in the latter town.

Although the most of Pamelia is used as meadow or pasture land, yet small quantities of wheat, barley, oats, corn and potatoes are raised every year, and there are numerous orchards of apple trees in the town. Other fruit is not found adapted to the soil and climate. Butter and cheese, however, are usually remunerative products, and good buildings on almost every farm, many of them of stone, denote the existence of a prosperous community.

CHURCHES OF PAMELIA.

THE 1ST METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. -A Methodist class was organized at Pamelia Four Corners on February 28, 1847. It con- sisted of seven members, among whom were Curtis Goulding, Rachel Goulding, Asa Barnes and Betsey Barnes. The class was at first connected in a circuit with another at Evans Mills, in the town of LeRay, but in 1849 it was organized into a separate church, with the title given above. In February, 1848, a society was organized for the purpose of erecting and maintaining a house of wor- ship, the first trustees being James Jones, Charles G. Harger, Orvis Goulding, Curtis Goulding, Asa Barnes, Daniel Gould, Joseph Countryman, Abram Augsbury and Jacob Harwick. In 1848 a church edifice was erected at Pamelia Four Corners, at a cost of $1,600. The class of seven members in 1847 has increased, by a steady and healthy growth, to a church of 75 members in full communion, and 10 probationers. There is also a flourish- ing Sabbath school of about 75 members.

THE PROTESTANT METHODIST CHURCH .- For 35 or 40 years there has been a small class of Protestant Methodists in this town. It was connected with Perch Lake ci cuit, the greater portion of whose members reside in LeRay. Among the early preachers were N. R. Swift, Simon B. Loomis, Michael Prindle and Lorenzo Wheeler. In 1867 a neat and pleasant church edifice was erected about two miles and a half north of Pamelia Four Corners. Rev. Philip Swift was the pastor of the Perch Lake circuit at that time.

THE UNION CHURCH SOCIETY. - This society was organized November 16, 1847, with Reuben Lock, Jacob H. Zoller and Peter M. Salisbury as trustees. Each of these gentle- men represented one of the three denomina- tions, which united for the purpose of erect-

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THE GROWTH OF A CENTURY.

ing a house of worship-the Protestant Methodist, the Universalist and the Christian Order. A convenient church edifice was erected in 1848 on the Military road, two miles southwest of Pamelia Four Corners. At first all the denominations named held meetings in the new church. Rev. J. H. Stewart, a prominent Universalist minister of Watertown, preached there several years. The increase of the Methodist Church at Pamelia Four Corners, however, drew away

the attendance at the Union meeting-house, the frequency of the services diminished, and when the Protestant Methodists built an edifice of their own near Perch Lake, the ser- vices at the Union house entirely stopped. It remained unoccupied for several years, but in 1874 a few members of the Christian Order procured the services of Rev. George Warren, who preached there once a fortnight for one year. Since then Rev. James Hayes held services at similar intervals.

FAMILY SKETCHES.

FLEURY KEITH .- " Blood will tell," an old adage says, and in glancing back over the family history of many of the prominent men who have made Jefferson county their homes, one is impelled to subscribe to the truth of the saying without question. And even though later descendants have not always reached that point in public distinction which some of their ancestors attained, because of adverse circumstances, or because "true merit is always modest," yet close acquaint- ance and observation have never failed, in most instances, to discover one or more family traits in the individual, which clearly pointed out a genuine branch of the family tree. A single instance may serve as an illustration : Rev. James Keith, the youngest son of an old-time Scotch peer, landed on Plymouth Rock from the second vessel which touched that coast. He was the first ordained minis- ter of Bridgewater, Plymouth county, Mass., settling there in 1663, O. S. He received or- dination at the hands of Cotton Mather him- self. He was given a "lot of 12 acres with a house built thereon," and a "purchase right;" which was one 56th part of the original grant to Bridgewater, 40 pounds in money, 20 of which was to be paid at Boston, and 20 at home, yearly ; and in 1689 they in- creased his salary by $10 worth of corn per annum. He died July 28th, 1719, full of honors, renowned in peace and war. In war, because of the enthusiasm he invoked against the savages in their raids upon the defence- less settlements ; in peace, because he be- came the ablest divine of his time. He was ordained at 19 years of age, and his first sermon was preached from a rock in what is to this day known as the Mill Pasture. A daughter of his son Daniel, married Miles Standish, jr., and a great-grand-daughter married Dr. Eleazer Carver, of Mansfield, in 1776. Fleury Keith, who was one of the early settlers of Smithville, removing thence to Pamelia, was a direct descendant of the Scotch Presbyterian divine. Though never an aspirant for office, preferring first and foremost his home family and farm, he was elected to the Assembly in 1829, and again in 1831. He raised a large family of children who are widely scattered ; Fleury, jr., resides in San Jose, Cal., on a fruit farm ; Willard . still lives on the old homestead in Pamelia, a

respected farmer, and others are scattered far and wide beyond the ken of the writer. His sixth daughter, Helen, married the late J. K. Adams, of Brownville, and for her second husband the late Gen. Wm. Estes, and is now living in Cape Vincent with her son-in-law, Major Durham.

ITHAMER B. CRAWE, M. D.

This distinguished physician and surgeon having lost his life in Perch Lake, we have thought that the town of Pamelia would be a proper place to insert his biographical sketch, although he was a resident of Water- town when he died. His fame as a student and able practioner was not limited to any town, for he was well known throughout the county. Dr. Crawe was born at Enfield, Hartford county, Connecticut, June 11, 1792. In 1802, when he was nine years old, the family moved to Hamilton, Madison county, N. Y. He worked on his father's farm summers and went to the district school winters until he was 19. He early turned his attention to botanical pursuits, and so great an enthusiast did he become that he has been known to ride long distan- ces in pursuit of some particular plant. From his youth he was noted for the interest he took in anything belonging to the animal or vegetable kingdom. He made a large collection, arranging and classifying them, laying the foundation for that acknowledged proficiency in botanical research he after- wards attained. In April, 1815, he went to Augusta, Oneida county, where he taught a district school three terms. In October he returned from a fishing voyage, and on his way stopped at Albany, where he engaged to teach a select school. Here he stayed two terms of 12 weeks each, and returning home in March, 1818, he entered the office of Dr. Hastings, where he remained about two years. Through the kindness of his precep- tor he was enabled to indulge in his favorite pursuit, having the use of a plot of ground, where he raised many rare plants. He next studied and worked in the laboratory with Dr. Noyes, professor of chemistry in Hamil- ton College. Connected with the college was a large cabinet of minerals, to which he had free access, and here, no doubt, his love of research in this branch of the natural

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sciences received additional stimulus, which never abated; for at his death his cabinet of minerals attained such size that it weighed eight tons.

Coming home in the spring of 1822, he entered into partnership with Dr. Dissel, of Clinton, with whom he remained six months, when he moved to Watertown, where he married Charlotte F. Mortimer. After prac- ticing here a number of years he was invited by some of the prominent citizens of Ogdens- burg to locate there. Accordingly he went there,, remaining about three years, and left to take charge of some lead mining oper- ations at Lubec, Maine. This proved a fail- ure, and he returned home and moved to Pontiac, Mich., where he resided some three years.

Sickness of himself and family obliged him to return to Watertown, where he con- tinued to reside until his death. He dis- covered and described a number of new plants, one of which bears his name, Carex Crawei, or Crawe's Sedge. His friend, Prof. Grey, of Cambridge, Mass., requested him to procure for him some rare plants which are found on the marsh at Perch Lake, and are in their greatest perfection about the 1st of June. Having patients on the opposite side of the lake, he went there to see them June 3, 1847. After visiting them he crossed the lake in a leaky boat, the only one obtain- able at that time, taking a small pan to bail with, and accompanied by Enoch Eddy, a large fleshy man, and William C. Gould, a young man, the son of one of his patients. They crossed the lake safely, and he made a large collection of the desired specimens, which he arranged in a large book, with heavy, strapped covers. About 5 P. M. they started to return. The wind having fresh- ened, the waves were rolling, causing the boat to leak badly. When about 20 rods from shore it became evident that the boat must sink. The doctor, rising in the boat, threw his book as far towards the shore as possible, and taking out his watch, said : "It is just 6 o'clock ; this boat will sink in a few minutes. Mr. Eddy, you stick to the boat ; Gould and I can swim." When the boat sunk he caught and held up Mr. Eddy, turned over the boat and helped him onto it, and he soon floated near the shore. With Mr. Gould he started for land. The former was ahead and reached the shore with diffi- culty, and turning to look back, he saw the Doctor's feet sticking out of the water. Hc was an exceedingly fine swimmer, and must have had cramps in his shoulders, caused by the extra exertion he was obliged to make, encumbered as he was with clothing and long, heavy boots, made to wade through wet, marshy grounds.

Dr. Crawe was widely known among men of science, both in this country and in Europe. He enjoyed a large practice, was well and favorably known, and his loss at the time, in the manner it happened, was a great shock to his family, and deeply felt by

the community in which he lived. He was a prominent Mason, which fraternity attended his funeral in a body, and with the rest of his friends and neighbors, testified their re- spect for his memory, sympathizing with his family in their great affliction, and manifested their own sorrow and regret at his loss. He became a member of the County Society in 1822; was its secretary in 1825; censor in 1826, '28, '29, '30, '34 and '41; president in 1827 and 1842 ; and delegate to the State So- ciety in 1834 and 1844. In 1846 the honorary degree of Doctor of Medicine was conferred upon him by the Regents of the University, on the recommendation of the State Society.

THE HAVEN FAMILY.

RICHARD HAVEN came from the west of England in 1645, settling in Lynn, Mass. Nathaniel Haven, 1st, son of the above Richard Haven, was born in 1664. Nathan- iel Haven, 2d, son of the above Nathaniel Haven 1st, was born in 1704. He also be- longed to Lynn, where he held many import- ant offices. David Haven, third son of the above Nathaniel Haven, 2d, was born in 1734. Nathaniel Haven (the 4th), came into the Black River country from Framingham, Mass., in 1804, locating in Watertown, liv- ing in the same house with Hart Massey, corner of Washington and Clinton streets. Previous to coming he had married Miss Mary Coolidge, also of Framingham. Mr. Haven was a joiner, and finished up an in- complete frame, standing on what is now the American corner. This building he used for a shop. Working at his trade for several years, upon the various buildings demanded by the incoming settlers, he finally bought a farm of 100 acres on the north side of the river, known as the Conversc farm, now covered to quite an extent by city dwellings. This place he finally sold, and purchased the Jonathan Cowan farm. There he lived for many years, and near there he died.

Himself and wife reared eight children : Dexter, Hepzibah (who married Dr. Hiram- Mills); Nathaniel, Jr., Mahalah (who mar- ried William Usher); Newell, Isaac C., Ascenath (who married John Sloat); and Charles W. The latter, the youngest son of this old-time and much-respected family, the writer has selected for especial mention in this History, he being a fair representa- tion of the whole of them. He attended the common schools, completing his scholastic education at the Black River Literary and Religious Institute, at Watertown. He has always been a farmer, now owning 150 acres-a very valuable and productive farm, lying one mile north of the city limits. He is now in his 73d year, and bears his age like a man of 55 or 60. Always methodical and industrious, he has accumulated a neat property. He has always been regarded-as indeed were all the Havens-as an exception- ally honorable and progressive citizen.

Mrs. Helen J. Harmon is the daughter of Charles W. Haven. She married Mr. H. E.

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Harmon in 1882, and they have one child, a daughter, Miss Marion. Their residence is at No. 41 TenEyck street, in the city of Watertown, and it is a typical home.

George, son of Charles W., was born in 1854, and is a citizen of Watertown. Although a resident of the city, he is a farmer, managing the paternal acres on Bradley street. He married Miss Ella Mc- Ginnis in 1879, and they have one young daughter, Miss Clara.

THOMAS MAKEPEACE was born in Massa- chusetts in 1779. At the age of 24 years he removed with his father's family to Bridge- water, Oneida county, remaining there one year, when he located in Pamelia. He mar- ried Anna Plumb, a native of Connecticut, and they had nine children, viz .: Emily, Maria, Anna, Amy, Betsey, Lucy, Thomas, Julia and Ellicott. In 1848 Ellicott married Angeline Plumb, by whom he had two chil- dren, viz .: Merville D. and Charles E. Elli- cott Makepeace was a popular school teacher for many years, and also served his towns- men in positions of trust and honor, among which was that of supervisor. His son Mer- ville D. is a civil engineer and surveyor. Charles E. was supervisor of Pamelia in 1889, and resides with his aged mother on the homestead on road 21. Ellicott Makepeace died June 30, 1882.

WALTER COLE was born in the town of Mendon, Herkimer county, and when 16 years old came to the Black River country, and taught the first school in the then village of Watertown. At the age of 19 he mar- ried Charlotte, daughter of John M. Gunn, of Brownville, and they had seven children, viz., John N., Andrew J., Walter, Harrison, Zeruah, Abigail and Harrison. The first Harrison died in infancy. Walter Cole served in the War of 1812, and participated in the battle of Sackets Harbor. He served as a member of the State Legislature two terms. Harrison Cole, at the age of 22 years, mar- ried Mary, daughter of. Hon. Fleury Keith, of Brownville, and first located on a farm near Perch river. In 1872 he removed to Wellsley Island, where he remained 14 years. Harrison R. Cole, of LeRay, son of Harrison, married Emma Gould, in 1875, and they have one son, Aswell B.

HENRY COUNTRYMAN was born in Danube, Herkimer county, N. Y., and was the third child and first son of George and Roxana Countryman. Henry remained at home, con- tributing largely to the support of the family, until 1823, when he removed to Pa- melia, where he succeeded in accumulating a large fortune, being the owner at the time of his death of 600 acres of land. He died June 16, 1875. He married Miss Walrath, of Danube, Herkimer county, by whom he had nine children, five sons and four daughters. Alexander, the oldest, was born in Herkimer county, but from boyhood always resided at Pamelia Four Corners. Wilson H. Country- man was born in 1840. In 1862 he married

Betsey Ann, daughter of Enoch Eddy, by whom he has had three children, viz .: Belle D., Charles O. and Ora E. Belle D. died in 1880, aged 15 years. The sons survive and reside on the farm with their parents.

ENOCH EDDY came from Rutland, Vt., in 1802, and located on a farm on Rutland Hill, in the town of Rutland, in this county. In 1831 he removed to the town of Pamelia, where he died in 1840, aged 80 years. He reared a family of 10 children, all of whom grew to maturity, viz : Enoch and James (twins), Hannah, Rhoda, Phebe, Betsey, Renew, Louisa, Horatio N. and Willard. Enoch D., at the age of 23 years, married Hulda, daughter of Jonathan Aldrich, and they had three sons and four daughters, viz : Enoch, Gratia, Cynthia, Hannah, Seth, Betsey A. and De Witt Clinton. The latter was born on the farm he now owns. When 26 years of age he married Caroline, daughter of Joel A. Otis, of Rutland, by whom he has one daughter, Cora M., who married Edward Colligan, September 21, 1887.

ELIJAH TIMERMAN came to this town with his father in 1832, from Herkimer county, at that time being 14 years of age. He remained at home and attended school winters, work- ing upon the farm summers, until he at- tained his majority. He then married Anna, daughter of Hiram Ballard, and after work- ing farms on shares several years, finally pur- chased a farm at the head of Perch Lake, and there resided until his death, in 1870. He had born to him three sons and one daughter, viz: Hiram, John E., Celestia J. and Wilson. The latter, at the age of 21 years, enlisted in Co. M, 10th N. Y. H. A., and served three years, until the close of the war, when he re- turned home and married Arabella, daughter of Elijah Gove, of LeRay. Soon after this he purchased the John C. Timerman farm.

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Growth of a Century : as illustrated in the history of Jefferson County, New York, from 1793 to 1894, Part 138

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