USA > New York > Schoharie County > Broome > Historical address, relating to the county of Broome in the state of New York > Part 2
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It must be remembered. that at this time the cotton gin had not been invented : that the reign of this product had not then commenced. India cottons were 60 or 20 cents per vard. and the settlers were too poor to buy them for ordinary or everyday wear. The usual fabric for summer use-the drap d'ete' of the woods-was made of tow. and was manufactured in the house. A tow shirt and trowsers. with sometimes a loose frock of the same material. constituted a full pioneer dress. For fall and winter clothing, if the wolves spared sheep enough to furnish a supply of wool. a piece of woolen cloth. likewise spun and wo- ven in the house. was prepared. A portion of this was finished at the cloth dresser's, by being colored and pressed. for the use of the women : the rest, by the process of fulling, was made into thicker and stronger cloth for the purposes of the men. Usually the scanty supply of the material, and the difficulty and labor by which it was obtained, rendered the modern resort of a " pull back " to display the outlines of one's form quite un- necessary. There was no redundant material for the display of panniers or other devices of fashion : no time to put it on, and no opportunity to exhibit it.
The means of subsistence of the early settlers, though not in great variety, were ample. The forests were full of game, and the streams abounded in fish. Were it not for these provisions
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of nature. the people must have suffered for food. It was the work of some years to bring the land under sufficient cultiva- tion to produce the quantity requisite to supply the wants of a family. It was likewise at one time forty miles to a mill capa- ble of grinding grain into flour; the distance to be traversed on foot or by canoe. If the meat of any domestic animal was at any time used, it was generally salted pork, purchased at some store, a few pounds at a time. Of fruits there were none, except such as grew wild-berries in their season. and wild grapes. A little patch, cultivated among the stumps with a hoe, would yield a scanty supply of potatoes, turnips, cabbage, &c. Tea was. perhaps, the only luxury indulged in at the table. This the good frontier matrons thought they must have, to solace their griefs and to exhilarate their spirits. But not all could afford even this, and substitutes were often resorted to. such as infusions of sage. and of the young and tender leaves of the birch. Sugar was early obtained by boiling the sap of the hard or sugar maple, (acer saccharinum;) the season for making it being the early spring. The sap was collected by cutting a small notch in the tree. adjusting a spout. and in this way con- ducting it into pans or buckets, placed at the foot of the tree. The sap was boiled down until the sugar would " grain." as they termed it-i. e., until the extractive matter became solidified by the evaporation of all the water which it con- tained. Sugar making was a season of hard work, vet it gave opportunity for many pleasant gatherings, especially to the younger people. Parties assembled when " sugaring off," were as enjoyable then as are the picnics and croquet amusements of the present day.
In the absence of hay, animals were subsisted upon coarse straw, and by browsing, which consisted in cutting down soft maple trees during the latter part of the winter, and allowing 3
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The cult a to ray the lender twigs and the swollen leaf buds. In severe winters the whole life of the settler would be taken up in efforts to keep from starvation his stock of animals-gener- ally a few sheep, & yoke of men and perhaps a cow.
These were some of the harthips and privation- suffered more or less by the pioneer settlers of this County. But ther came Mere with brave hearts. strong arm- and ready hands. and it is to the indomitabile courage, the hardy industry and the unflinching determination which they brought with them. that the wilderness has been transformed. and that the fertile valleys and well cultivated hills of our County present the | leas- ing aspect of to-day. All honor to the memory of the pioneer settlers ; for who of our modern young men would shandder his av and go forth to encounter and anhdne the wilderness ?
"Tis fitting we should cherish their remembrance ever just. Their heroic toll, and stoic, and their high hopes and holy trast ! They the sons of pilgrim fathers, who had dared the wintry wave. Triumphed o'er the foe and famine, with stern souls and spirits brave.
The habits of the frontier people were of a social and kind nature, so far as their remote residences and incessant occupa- tions would permit. A sense of mutual dependence upon each other under very many circumstances seemed to prevail, which effectually suppressed all attempts to get up feuds or quarrel -. The security of life in the settlements. a necessity for making common cause in defence of each other, and many other per- somal rights and privileges, were dependent upon a united sen- timent and the cordial co-operation of the settlers. Hence they cultivated friendly and neighborly relations, took a warm in- terest in each other's affairs, and when necessary rendered prompt assistance on all occasions of emergency. A practice prevailed of helping each other when one had a heavy piece of work to accomplish. For instance, if one of the settlers had a
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large logging on hand, which he was unable to do alone on ac- count of shortness of help or an insufficient team, he felt at liberty to appoint a day and invite all his neighbors, far and near, to come with their teams to his assistance. This they always did, and a half day's work by all hands would accomp- lish more for the settler than he could do in a month single handed. It was the same when one wished to put up a log house or barn. work which he could not perform alone. His neighbors would turn out to his assistance, and in a few hours the heavy work would be completed. In putting up a log build- ing it was necessary to cut notches in the end of each log to fit corresponding notches in the log below and above. A chopper. therefore. to each corner was always selected to perform this work. This was the post of honor on such occasions. and the chopper who first got up his corner was the champion of the day. These gatherings were termed bees. They were always occasions of hilarity and good feeling-the inevitable whisky jug was always present, and the affair terminated by a supper of such quality. and served in such style. as the circumstances would allow.
The sources of information to the settlers were very scanty. They had but few books-perhaps a Bible. and some scattering volumes which they had picked up. Of newspapers they had none. Information of what was transpiring in any part of the world could only be obtained by the accidental arrival of some new adventurer. or from some settler who, after making his way back to his old place of residence. had again returned to his new home. Their social gatherings were characterized by an interchange of news, such as one might hear in one direc- tion, and another in a different one, which, with a rehearsal of their own local and domestic affairs. formed the chief subjects of conversation. Information of current events seldom if ever
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reached the frontier settlements. There were no post routes nor post offices for several years after the settlements were com- menced, and it was long before any regular postal communica- tion was established, and not oftener then than once in two weeks. To us, who in an hour can receive the result of a po- litical convention at Cincinnati or St. Louis by means of tele- graphic connection, it appears almost incredible that stirring events and important movements should take place and a por- tion of the people remain in entire ignorance of them. The news of the battles of Lexington, Concord and Bunker's Hill did not reach the remote settlements until long after those en- gagements had taken place.
There were and could be no schools in the new settlements. In fact at the time when the settlements were first made in this section, the State had taken no action to provide for the in- struction of the children within its jurisdiction. It had organ- ized a University, had chartered Colleges and Academies, but had adopted no measures to promote a system of general instruc- tion. It was not until 1795 that any action was taken upon this subject. And when measures providing for public schools were carried into effect, they were entirely inoperative in the new settlements. The population was so sparse, the distance. always through dense woods, too great for small children to as- semble in any number. while the larger ones could be made use- ful in various ways at home or in the clearings. The first set- tlers consequently were deprived of the means of educating their children. and many of them came to adult years unable to read and write. I myself had an elder relative who came to man- hood under such circumstances, and who on his reaching the age of 21 years went back to Connecticut, from whence he had been brought when a young child, and entering a district school began his course of instruction by learning the letters of the English alphabet.
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It must not be presumed, however, that the minds of the young settlers were complete blanks in information on account of the want of instruction in schools. On the contrary many of them were well educated in all matters pertaining to the situa- tion in which they were placed. They were well versed in the woods, were usually expert with the rifle and the fishing rod. To bring down a deer while dashing through the thick brush was not a very uncommon or extraordinary exploit. The man- ufacture, and especially the repairing of their farming tools. working in iron as blacksmiths, dressing the skins of animals and making them into garments, moccasins, &c., and the con- struction of their buildings, were frequently performed by those whose only instruction and handicraft was the result of their own ingennity and practical observation. If they were ignorant of the histories of Herodotus and Livy, or knew nothing of the problems of Euclid, they could fall a tree wherever they wanted it to lie, and could judge of the effect of the wind upon a rifle ball at 30 rods, with as much accuracy as if they had been edu- cated at West Point.
From the first settlement of the valley of the Chenango, an impression seemed to prevail that a village at or near the con- fluence of the two rivers must, from the nature of the locality. be inevitable ; but the precise point where it would be laid out was not fully determined upon. A little cluster of dwellings had been erected a mile and a-half up the Chenango River, above the foot of Mount Prospect, and the general impression was that there the new village would be built. But as the land at that point did not appear to be properly fitted for the purposes of a village, other influences prevailed.
Mr. Bingham very naturally desired that the site of the pro- posed town should be located on his patent, and through the influence of Joshua Whitney, then a young man and business
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agent for Mr. Bingham, the removal was accomplished. By general consent the present site of Binghamton was determined upon-the ground was cleared of brush and logs by the united efforts of the people, they making a bee for that purpose. The street now known as Water street was laid out, and building was soon commenced. This was in 1799, and the new village thus begun was named CHENANGO VILLAGE. This was the nucleus of Binghamton. A few buildings were erected on Water street, stores were opened, mechanics' shops were built. and also a tavern by Lewis Keeler, where the Cafferty House now stands. When the County was organized, in 1806, the village became the County seat, and the erection of a Court Honse and Jail and Clerk's Office soon followed.
It is now proper that I should allnde briefly to certain indi- viduals, who not only laid the foundations of Binghamton, but who largely contributed to its growth and to its subsequent prosperity.
First and foremost of all was the late Gen. JOSHUA WHITNEY. He came here with his father about the year 1788. a young man only 18 years of age. Here he grew to maturity, and en- tered upon the active business of life. Some years after. I think about the year 1800. Mr. Bingham appointed him his agent, and entrusted to him his interests in the patent of which he was the proprietor. From that time Mr. Whitney was the ruling spirit of the place. He entered ardently into his work, became an active business man in the new village, opened a store, erected a dwelling house, and in every project of a public character or interest he was first and foremost. His influence was powerful, and was always exerted to promote what he be- lieved to be the best interests of the people. In his manner he was somewhat brusque, and was positive in enforcing what his judgment told him was right ; yet he was kind of heart and
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generous in nature. Many of the early settlers were greatly benefited by the aid and comfort which he not nnfrequently afforded them, under some adverse or embarrassing circum- stances.
I only knew Gen. Whitney in the later years of his life, when he had long been retired from business. But even then he re- tained more or less of his former influence, and was every where treated by his fellow citizens with evidences of the greatest re- spect and veneration. Gen. Whitney represented this County in the Assembly during its fortieth session-1816-17.
JACOB MCKINNEY appears to have been the next most prom- inent business man who early located at Chenango Village. He came from Northumberland County, Pa., making his way np the river in a boat loaded with goods. He opened a store, and soon after formed a co-partnership with Gen. Whitney, and en- tered with zeal into all the projects for building np the new village. He was one of the first on the ground, and his efforts began with the earliest. He served as Sheriff and County Clerk of this County.
CHRISTOPHER ELDREDGE is also entitled to special mention in this connection. He came into this section of the country from Stonington, Conn., in 1801, and in 1806 commenced bns- iness as a merchant, and for more than fifty years was one of the most prominent business men in Binghamton. Mr. Eldredge died less than twelve years ago in the 81st year of his age, and his memory is yet cherished and honored by those who knew him in his life time, and who are now enjoying the advantages which he contributed so much towards securing.
Following the three persons just mentioned, came other active business men and mechanics, who bought lots, opened their stores, built their shops, and gave to the new village an air of
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industry and thrift. The names of some of these men may be here mentioned as those who laid the foundations and com- menced the superstructure of our present City. The limits of this sketch, however, will not allow me to enter into details of the personal history of each individual. One general remark applies to them collectively. They were mostly young men with the world before them. adventurous, hardy and enter- prising. These names I will now give ; they are as follows:
Lewis Keeler.
John Townley,
Zenas Pratt,
Henry T. Shipman,
Selah Squires,
William Woodruff,
James Squires,
Benjamin Sawtelle,
David Brownson.
Lewis St. John.
Myron Merrill,
James C. Smead,
John B. MeIntosh,
C'ol. John Stone,
Marshall Lewis.
Augustus Morgan.
Jeremiah Campbell.
Samuel Smith,
Julius Page,
Richard Mather.
Henry Mather.
Martin Hawley.
Gilbert Tompkins,
Isaac Tompkins.
Thomas Evans.
James Evans,
Samuel Peterson.
Hazard Lewis.
Joseph B. Abbott,
Stephen Weed,
Oliver Ely,
Levi Dimmick,
William Wentz.
Virgil Whitney,
Vincent Whitney,
Franklin Whitney.
Most of these men have passed away. " Life's fitful fever over," they now rest from their labors, amidst the scenes of their early toil :
"By the river golden storied with their worth and virtues tried."
A few of them remain, however, and are now our oldest and
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most respected citizens. Chief among the living is the venera- ble SAMUEL PETERSON, now nearly 85 years of age, who, not- withstanding his years, daily walks our streets with the brisk- ness of youth, and with the elastic step of a boy. It would trouble most men twenty years younger to keep pace with him now.
VIRGIL WHITNEY, eldest son of Gen. Joshua Whitney, still lives among ns, a revered and venerable citizen, now in the 81st year of his age. He was born and reared here, amid the scenes and incidents of early pioneer life. He has witnessed the entire transformation of the County from a wilderness to a rich and cultivated section ; has seen all its changes ; has been instru- mental in promoting its interests and in securing its present superior advantages ; and through a long and active life has contributed his share to the advancement and prosperity of the County.
RICHARD MATHER. Col. Jos. B. ABBOTT, WILLIAM WENTZ, and CHARLES W. SANFORD still remain to recount their early experience in frontier life, and to tell, not how fields, but how fortunes, were won. The life of each of these citizens has been passed in the successful prosecution of business, adding by their efforts to the material wealth of the locality, and transposing crnde material into nseful and valnable products.
The professions were early represented in the settlement of the County, and, it is claimed, contributed their full share to its permanent advancement.
Of the lawyers who first came into the County may be men- tioned Daniel LeRoy, David Rogers, Horace Williston, Mason Whiting, and William Stuart. These were all able men and good lawyers. They came here during the years from 1801 to 1805. The three first named, after residing here for several 4
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years. removed to other places : Mr. Whiting and Judge Stuart remained. entered into active business. spent their lives here. and their graves are now in our midst. In 1809 Mr. John A. Collier, then a young lawyer fresh from the law school at Litch- field. Conn., located here : George Park came about 1810 : Gen. Thomas G. Waterman followed in 1813 : Peter Robinson in 1821 : and Daniel S. Dickinson in 1831. William Seymour located for the practice of law at Windsor as early as 1805. These were the leading lawyers who cast their fortunes in this County at its beginning and during its earlier period. They were all men of education. refinement and ability. The bar of the County was noted for its strong men, especially Mr. Collier. Mr. Robinson and Mr. Dickinson. All achieved at least the meed of fame. and served the County in various offices. Mr. Whiting represented the County in the Assembly of 1816. and was District Attorney from 1831 to 1837.
Mr. John A. Collier held the office of District Attorney for the County from 1818 to 1822. He was a Representative in the 22d Congress from this District, and was Comptroller of the State from 1841 to 1842. George Park did not enter exten- sively into the practice of law, his tastes and studies tending more to the Natural Sciences. He held the office of Surrogate from 1823 to 1833 : was twice appointed Deputy County Clerk. and served as a Magistrate of the Town for many years. It is but a few weeks since we laid him in his grave. at the advanced age of st years-one of the last of the pioneer settler -.
Thomas G. Waterman was a member of the Assembly in 1824. and represented the 6th Senatorial District in the Senate of this State during the years 182:, 1828, 1829 and 1830. He likewise was District Attorney for a short time.
Peter Robinson was District Attorney from 1823 to 1831. He
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represented the County in the Assembly for six years, from 1826 to 1831 inclusive. At the session of 1629 he was made Speaker of the House. He also was appointed Surrogate in 1821, per- forming the duties of this office about two years.
Daniel S. Dickinson's first public appearance was his election to the Senate of this State in 1836. He served his term of four years. and in 1842 was elected Lieut. Governor. In November, 1844, he was appointed by Gov. Bouck a Senator in Congress to fill the unexpired term of N. P. Tallmadge, and in February. 1845, was elected by the Legislature United States Senator for the full term, commencing the 4th of March following. He sub- sequently held the office of Attorney General of the State, and was holding the appointment of United States District Attor- ney for the Southern District of New York at the time of his death.
William Seymour resided in Windsor for many years. In 133 he was appointed First Judge of the County, and removed to Binghamton. He was elected in 1834 a member of the 24th Congress, and served during the sessions of 1835 and 1836.
I have purposely omitted the name of William Stuart until now. He was a brother-in-law to DeWitt Clinton : was a law- ver by profession. a man of marked ability. was an officer in the army of the Revolution. and. as has been seen. early came to this place. His title of Judge came from the fact that he held the appointment of a Judge of Common Pleas for a time. The principal office which he held was that of District Attorney. an office somewhat different from the present one. At that time the State was divided into districts, seven in number. To each district an Attorney for the People was assigned, with the title of District Attorney. The district in which Broome County was situate was composed of the Counties of Tioga. Onon-
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daga, Caynga, Ontario, Steuben, Alleghany, Broome, Seneca, Genesee, Niagara, Chautauqua and Cattaraugus. Judge Stuart was appointed District Attorney for this district in 1802, and served until 1810 ; was reappointed in 1811, and was succeeded by Vincent Matthews in 1813. Since then this arrangement has been changed so that each county has a prosecuting officer, but the title by which he is designated remains as formerly.
While the lawyers generally and very naturally located at the place of holding courts, the pioneer medical men were found scattered among the settlements, in the vicinity of those who needed their services. In so doing they shared with the fron- tiersmen all the hardships, privations and inconveniences to which they were subjected ; and it may be claimed, felt them with more severity. Many of the pioneer medical men were well educated, and more or less accustomed to the refinements of cultivated society. The contrast, therefore, was the more appreciable and the more keenly felt.
The first physician of whom any knowledge can be obtained, who settled in this county, was Dr. Ozias Crampton. He located in what is now the town of Windsor, in 1791. Dr. Daniel A. Wheeler settled in the town of Chenango in 1793, but a few years after removed to Whitney's Point. Here he practiced his profession the remaining portion of his life. Dr. Chester Lusk came to the town of Union in 1800, and was the only physician in that part of the County for some years. The fate of Dr. Lusk illustrates some of the perils to which the early medical men were exposed. Returning from visiting a patient, during a very dark night, he was thrown from his carriage, and the injuries he received caused his death in a few days.
Dr. Isaiah Chapman came to the town of Lisle, now Triangle, in 199. IIe and Dr. Wheeler were the only medical men in
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the northern part of the County at this period. At Windsor, succeeding Dr. Crampton, was Dr. Enoch Alden, who settled there in 1799, and Dr. John Moore, who studied his profession in that place and received his license to practice from the Court of Common Pleas of Tioga County in 1799. Dr. Ezra Seymour also was licensed to practice in 1803, and I think resided in that part of Windsor which is now Colesville.
At Binghamton the earliest physician of any celebrity was Doctor Bartholomew. He was educated at Yale College, and came to Chenango Village about 1800. There were like- wise, for a short time only, a Dr. Slocum and a Dr. Blanchard residing here. Dr. Bartholomew was soon re-inforced by Dr. Elihu Ely, who came here from Lyme, Conn., in 1805, and by Dr. Tracy Robinson in 1810, and by Dr. Ammi Doubleday in 1812. Neither of these gentlemen devoted their attention ex- clusively to their professional duties, but engaged in other pur- suits. Dr. Robinson, in addition to other business than the practice of medicine, held the appointment of First Judge of the County for many years, and in that capacity administered law as well as physic to the people. Dr. Ely and Dr. Double- day also engaged in other business. Dr. Ely opened a drug store, and afterwards a dry goods store. Dr. Doubleday engaged in va- rious enterprises, but his attention was mostly directed to the purchase and sale of lands situate in the County.
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