USA > New York > Monroe County > Rochester > Historical collections of the Junior pioneer association of the city of Rochester and Monroe County, N.Y. > Part 4
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This Address having been prepared for and delivered be- fore the " JUNIOR PIONEER ASSOCIATION OF ROCHESTER AND THIE COUNTY OF MONROE," and, at their solicitation, repeated at this time, it is due to the occasion that a few remarks be made by way of reminiscence and suggested counsel.
When Governor De Witt Clinton (venerabile nomen) passed this way, in the year 1810, it was to find this spot - without a human habitation. An emigrant of the next year, (Enos Stone, now deceased,) as described by O'Reilly,
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SPECIALITIES.
lived to see the spot where he killed the mischievous bear, the center of a dense population, and the site of impos- ing erections. The first allotments for a village were made in 1812, when Nathaniel Rochester, Charles II. Carroll, and William Fitzhugh, surveyed and laid out the "One Hundred Acre Tract" for settlement, under the name of " ROCHESTER." This was part of the larger tract of twelve by twenty-four miles, on the west side of the Genesee River, which Messrs. Phelps and Gorham obtained from the In- dians for the purpose of a mill-yard! During the same year, other allotments were made in a northerly direction by Messrs. Matthew and Francis Brown, and Thomas Mumford, under the name of "Frankfort." Opposite this tract, on the east side of the river, lay another allotment, made under the direction of Messrs. Samuel J. Andrews, and Moses Atwater. This was an eventful year to Roches- ter and to the country. War being declared with Great Britain, the patriotism and valor of this new settlement, were soon to be put to the test ; for, in a few months after- wards, Sir James Yeo made his appearance at the mouth of the river, with a fleet of thirteen vessels, threatening imme- diate and dire destruction, unless the provisions and mili- tary stores supposed to be gathered at Charlotte, were at once delivered up. How the gallant baronet's proposition was received by commanders Brown, Ely and Stone- with what adroitness and suecess ten citizen soldiers were multiplied into seores of disciplined troops - with what lofty indignation and burning words the insolent demand of the invader was rejected-and how quickly his Majesty's legates left the harbor to report to his superior the failure of his enterprise, and, mayhap, receive an official reprimand 'for being outwitted by the Yankees ! You will find it all in O'Reilly's graphic pages .- Go, read them there. This was the cradled infant but with manly spirit in his early years. Time passed on, adding muscle and sinew, promising a
1
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SPECIALITIES.
long, earnest and useful life. In 1817, the first Trustees were elected under the village charter ; the presiding ofli- cers during the next seventeen years, being-Messrs. Francis Brown, Matthew Brown, Jr., John W. Strong, Elisha John- son, J. Medbery, N. Rossiter, J. Thorn, and F. M. Haight, several of whom were re-elected. In 1834 a CITY CHARTE, was obtained, with Jonathan Childs as first mayor, whose venerable form and courteous manners have but till lately met us in the public street and the social circle. The same high office has been held in succession, by Messrs. Jacob Gould, A. M. Schermerhorn, Thomas Kempshall, Elisha Johnson, Thomas H. Rochester, Samuel G. Andrews, Elijah F. Smith, Chas. J. Hill, Isaac Hills, John Allen, William Pitkin, John B. Elwood, Jos. Field, Levi A. Ward, Samuel Richardson, Hamlin Stilwell, Nicholas E. Paine, Samuel G. Andrews, Rufus Keeler, John Williams, Chas. HI. Clarke, Maltby Strong, Chas. J. Ilayden, S. W. D. Moore ; and the present incumbent, Hamlet D. Scranton.
Such, is a rapid view of our city during the first half century of its eventful history. Such, junior citizens of Rochester, is the goodly heritage which has passed into your hands, from those who reclaimed this region from na- tive rudeness and barbarism into its present form of beauty and civilization.
Among the older residents may be recognized-+
Oliver Culver, Thomas Kempshall,
Abner Wakelee,
Enos Stone,*
Willis Kempshall, Robert Wilson, *
Hamlet Serantom,*
Aaron Newton,
Everard Peck,*
Ira West,*
Raphael Beach,*
R. M. Dalzell, Jacob Gould,
Silas O. Smith, F. F. Backus,*
Henry Skinner,*
J. B. Elwood,
Daniel D. Hatch,*
Abelard Reynolds, A. Coleman,* Erastus Cook,
I. W. Stone, 0. Gibbs,*
Moses Chapin,
Thomas Mumford,*
John Henry, *
Preston Smith,
+ The above list comprises many of the leading men among the carly Pioneers. It has been found about impossible to make a correct list, hence any omissions must be pardoncd- *Deceased.
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SPECIALITIES.
John Mastiek,* Azel Ensworth,* Francis Brown,*
S. Ilunt, A. G. Smith,*
Ashley Sampson,* Frederick Starr,
John G. Bond,
Matthew Brown,*
Elisha Ely, **
William Brewster,
Hervey Ely,
Charles Ilanford,
Ebenezer Ely, Ariovester Hamlin,* A. V. T. Leavitt,
Daniel Mack,
Samuel Andrews,*
William H. Ward,*
Hastings R. Bender,*
Russell Eusworth,*
Jonah Brown,
Russell Green,
Elisha Lee, * Charles M. Lee,*
Gideon Cobb, William Cobb,*
William Atkinson, *
Ebenezer Watts,
John A. Catheart,
Jacob Graves,
Harvey Montgomery,
Derick Sibley, L. W. Sibley,* Reuben Bardwell,*
Solomon Cleveland, * Palmer Cleveland,*
Nathaniel Draper, Josiah Sheldon, * Roswell Hart,*
Edwin Scrantom, Thurlow Weed,
Nathaniel Rochester,*
Seth Saxton,*
J. W. Smith,* A. G. Dauby, William Buell,
John C. Rochester, John W. Strong,* L. Ward, Jonathan Child,
Joseph Spencer,* Charles Magne,*
Erastus Shepard .*
Warham Whitney,*
David H. Carter, *
L. L. Miller, * Jesse Mason.
Jonathan Packard,*
James B. Carter, *
Enos Blossom .* .
"Some, from their weary toil are now at rest ; Some, withered, old and weak, yet trembling wait A little season, and they too shall rest- They cannot labor now. But ye whose feet Have entered on their labors, reverence These men. You praise the bravery of him Who dares face death upon the battle field ; But far beyond such bravery, is his, Who in his youth dares face the wilderness : Dares build his cabin upon lands whose trees Reach to the Heavens, and hopes to live on those Same forest lands, and his own toil alone. Yet his is no ignoble toil : he gives The sun to shine on lands and streams, which for A thousand years have not his beams beheld. Ile gives all grains to grow on pleasant fields, Where, but for him, wild beasts of prey had roamed-
Daniel Graves,
Elisha Johnson,
Jehiel Barnard,
James Frazer,
Erasmus D. Smith,
Matthew Mead, Rufus Meech, Charles J. Ilill, William Pitkin, Enos Pomeroy, William Charles, Stephen Charles, Roswell Babbitt,
William I. Hanford,
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TO THE JUNIOR PIONEERS.
A terror still. Then reverence these men ! Look but abroad ! The scene, how changed, Where fifty fleeting years ago, Clad in their savage costume ranged, The belted lords of shafts and bow. In praise of pomp, let fawning art Carve rocks to triumph over years; The grateful homage of the heart Give to our living Pioneers." [HUMPHREY.
MEMBERS OF THE JUNIOR PIONEER ASSOCIATION OF ROCHESTER, AND THE COUNTY OF MONROE :
Objects more important fitting and hopeful of benefit to yourselves and community, could hardly be named, than those that gave you an associated existence, and which call for the most earnest prosecution and untiring efforts for com- plete success. And what are they ? First, the collecting and reporting of minute facts respecting the beginning of this city. To the historian of any community, the first ten ycars possess a value greater than any subsequent term. It is over these that an impenetrable obscurity is likely to rest. To the superficial thinker it may seeni a small matter to dis- euss such questions as " Who made the first purchase ?" " Who felled the first tree ?" " Who erected the first dwell- ing?" " Who opened the first store ?" "Who built the first mill ?" " Who presided as the first officer ?" " Who was the first born ?" and the like. But, it is these first facts which, like the foundation stones of a massive palace or temple, un- derlie all true history. Let not a point suggested be deemed too trivial to examine. At your annual gatherings take up these things which belong to the past, (for that is your voca- tion,) inquire among yourselves, enter into correspondence, search with all diligence, and rest not until well certified as to the least among these events.
Second, The preservation of whatever illustrates the condi- tion of this locality previous to its occupancy by civilized and
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TO THE JUNIOR PIONEERS.
Christian emigrants, together with the incipient steps to past or present prosperity in any department of handicraft or , trade.
I am told that there exists within our limits the mill-stone used for manufacturing the first flour produced here. That is a relie which should be preserved ; associated as it is with a branch of industry which has given us a world-wide repu- tation. I have seen an engraving of. the Upper Falls, by a French artist, taken before the American Revolution. These are but instances of multitudes like them, which should be sought out and taken in charge, ere destroyed by decay, or removed to distant places.
A Third, and not the least important object of your Socie- ty, is the opportunity afforded at its annual gatherings for friendly recognitions and greetings. You meet in the ap- pointed place ; polities, trade, and like dividing matters, are all laid aside. The past is the engrossing theme ; in our youth things were thus and so ; such was the condition of this place, and such the aspect of that spot ; where is he who built this house ? occupied that home ? would that they were with us to-day. And then the dinner, conducted on princi- ples characteristic of our temperate city : and the toasts : and the addresses : and the last grasp of the hand, with the mu- tual promise to be together, if living, a twelve-month hence. Let outsiders smile as you march from the Court House to the hotel, led by spirit-stirring drum and fife, (the centena- rian, Alexander Millener, beating the same strokes he did at Bunker Hill, in the war of the Revolution.) You know that the anniversary of this association is one which you would not willingly forego.
There is one necessity which you should institute mea- sures to meet without delay, viz : a building, or at least a hall, devoted wholly to the interests of the Association. Upon the walls should be suspended those portraits that are now in the Court Room, and others that might be ob-
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TO THE JUNIOR PIONEERS.
tained. You could inaugurate no measure more certain than this to give your cherished Association that place in public regard to which it is well entitled.
Respected Friends,-My attempt to portray Rochester, as it is in the closing days of 1859, is ended. Had my ability been equal to my desire, the narrative had been more com- plete. To collect and arrange these materials has been to me most truly a labor of love, affording more pleasure than it can bestow. Though not a native of Rochester, I am at- tached to it with filial reverence and affection. In my ear- liest childhood I accompanied my parents to this their home, and for two score years have observed its ever-occurring changes, and hailed with joy the eminence it has won of honor and usefulness. My wanderings over the earth have been abundant, and my absence, in one instance, long con- tinued. But whether treading the sands of India, or visit- ing that most beauteous spot, the metropolis of Africa, or climbing the rocky heights of St. Helena, or traversing the British kingdoms, or enjoying the embowered walks of the French Capitol, or beholding the teeming wonders of the Italian cities, or journeying through the far states and terri- tories, the forests and prairies of our own Republic, or toss- ed upon the restless bosom of the Atlantic and Southern Oceans, or borne upon the arrowy Rhone-the castellated Rhine-the friths and lochs of noble Scotland-the majestic Mississippi, and island-studded St. Lawrence ; mingling with Asiaties and Africans, Europeans, Britons or Ameri- cans, Christian, Mahomedan, Parsee or Pagan ; wherever I have been, of Rochester I could say, " My heart, untraveled, still returns to thee !" It has been well said, that any subse- quent departure from the home of our childhood is hardly less painful than the first : such is my experience of this fair and loved city. I have seen it pass from a mere villa to be- come the abode of 50,000 inhabitants. Here I formed my first friendships, heard my first understood words of wisdom
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JUNIOR PIONEER ASSOCIATION OF MONROE COUNTY.
and experience, accepted as my guide the divinely inspired volume, and went forth to do battle for truth and God. But as an incentive to do good service for humanity and heaven, this thought had no unimportant place, that what I did was to have an effect for good or ill on my early and cherished home.
I go to your beautiful Cemetery and read the sculptured names of many whom I once knew to respect, admire and love ; associates of boyhood in study and sports-of man- hood in co-operative efforts to bless the world. As I recall the excellency of their characters, the usefulness of their lives, my heart goes out in supplication, that when the journey of life is with me ended, I too may find a resting place on that Mount of Hope; my spirit rejoining the spirits of relations and friends to become a co-dweller in that heavenly city, of which the most beautifuland attractive city of earth is but the faintest type.
JUNIOR PIONEER ASSOCIATION OF ROCHESTER AND THE COUNTY OF MONROE.
The Association bearing this name, was organized at the City Hall, in Rochester, July 15, 1855. Twenty names were enrolled as members. An adjourned meeting was held on the 20th of August, 1855, at which a constitution was adopted and permanent officers elected. Ezra M. Parsons, Esq., was the first President. The 26th day of October in each year, it being the day of the completion and official opening of the Erie Canal, was chosen as the day for the annual meet- ing and festival. The Association receives all as members who sign the constitution and pay one dollar, who were residents of the County on or before the 26th day of October, 1825 ; and, as honorary members, all who were born or resided in the County before January 1, 1830, whether male or female. Meetings have been regularly held from year to
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PIONEER ASSOCIATION OF WESTERN NEW YORK.
year, and there are now seventy-one members of both sexes. At each annual meeting there is a festival or public dinner. There is an annual payment of one dollar dues from each member, which constitutes the revenue of the Association. It is a provision in its organization that the Association shall attend the funeral of any deceased member, in a body. It has a committee of ten members to manage its general con- cerns, and a committee of five members on historical collec tions and biographies of members ; also, a committee of three members upon Annual Address. Its general design is to collect and preserve memorials of the earlier settlers of the city and county.
President-H. L. Achilles.
Vice Presidents-John C. Nash, Ephraim Goss, John H. Thompson, Caleb II. Bicknell, and E. H. Grover.
Recording Secretary-Hiram F. Hatch.
Corresponding Secretary-L. Ward Smith.
Treasurer-Delos Wentworth.
Chaplain-Rev. F. D. W. Ward.
Executive Committee-Jacob Howe, George Byington, Jonathan Foster, Seth Green, Lorenzo D. Ely, William C. Smith, T. A. Newton, Newell A. Stone, Elisha Y. Blossom, and Marcus Jewell.
Committee on Historical Collections-Frederick Starr, Jarvis M. Hatch, Ezra M. Parsons, Thomas J. Paterson, Isaac V. Moshier.
Committee on Annual Address -- John C. Nash, John H. Thompson, and Samuel Miller.
PIONEER ASSOCIATION OF WESTERN NEW YORK.
This society was formed in Rochester in 1847, and now consists of about ninety gentlemen and forty-two ladies. Annual meeting, at the Court House in Rochester, on the second Tuesday of June in each year. The portraits of about sixty members of the Association are now hanging in the Court Room.
President-Gideon Cobb.
Vice Presidents-Preston Smith and James Sperry.
Secretary and Treasurer-Aaron Newton.
Executive Committee-Fisher Bullard, Jonah Brown, and Nathaniel Draper.
A CHRISTIAN GIFT, OR PASTORAL LETTERS,
By REV. F. De W. WARD.
PUBLISHED BY ERASTUS DARROW & BROTHER, ROCHESTER, N. Y. 199 pp-32 mo. Neat Muslin 31c., Gilt Edge 37/2c.
NOTICES BY PERSONS AND PERIODICALS.
Rev. Dr. A. T. Chester, Buffalo .- " I have felt the need of just such a book to distribute among the young people of my charge. The Author has done a good work."
Rev. Dr. Shaw, Rochester .- " The counsels are most judicious, the illus. trations new and graphic, the style sincere and simple; and the whole book a piece of jomery of which no man need be ashamed. I know of no book of the kind, to be prefered before it."
Rev. J. H. McIlraine .- " This interesting little book by the Pastor of the Church at Geneseo, N. Y., is adorably adapted to the wants of young Christians. Care- fully read it cannot but prove helpful, in any stage of spiritual life."
Rev. Dr. Van Rensselaer, of Philadelphia, in Pres. Magazine -- " A great many useful thoughts are thrown out in a manner indicating discrimination, an acquaintance with human nature, an affectionate spirit, and a well stored and vigorous mund. Such a vol- ume will do good wherever it finds it's way."
Rev. Wm. Lusk, Batavia .- " It is a cogent exposition of principles, en- forced by touching historical and mographical incidents. I know of nothing of the same size winch, next to the Biblo, could be so useful to those in the morning of life. 1 hope that a copy of it will be found in every fanty."
Rev. H. Kendall, Bloomfield .- " I am greatly pleased with the minuteness of its instructions. I am satisfied that many a book designed for the young fails to accom- plish nny good, because it simply deals with general principles. The . more excellent way' is here adopted of offering the principle to the details of every day life."
C. R. Robert, Esq., of New- York City, ordering fifty copies, says,- " It is just the book we need among the young Christians of this city."
Rev. D. Chichester, of Mt. Morris, calls it "a book for the times, and caleu- lated to do muchi good."
Samuel J. Mills, Esq., of Mt Morris, ordering copies, says,-" The sub- jects are treated in a style plam and forcible with an occasional anecdote, which is not only entertaining, but strikingly illustrative, The Bible Class and Sunday School Teacher will lock in vam for a more sunable gift to the intelligent youth of their churge."
Rev. Dr. Dale, of Philadelphia, in the Christian Instructor, (Associate Re- formed.)-" A well executed little work, written with unusual interest and practical good sense. It should be in the hands of all our youth, and we are persuaded will do good."
Rev. L. Spaulding,, Miss. at Ceylon, India, says,-" I intend to name it to. my friends here and elsewhere, as just such a book as they should have and read: - a practi -. cal vade mecum."
Genesee Evangelist, Rochester-Rev. R. W. Hill, Editor .- " The mechani- cal execution and contents of this little work render it worthy of extensive circulation .- The style is easy, the sentiments sound, and the advice judicious."
Wm. Slocumb, Esq., of Marietta, Ohio, ordering copies, says,-" I am desi- rous to put a copy into the hand of euch of the young ladies of my Bible class, as containing just the instructions I would give them. I wish that a copy could be in the hand of every youth in our land."?
National Magazine, (N. Y. and Cin.)-" A delightful volume, written with hfe and point, the very kind of manual for the young Christian. The spirit of the book is excellent-such as the Great Teacher himself would approve."
Brewster's Insurance Reporter .- " This little gem should be in the pos- session of all our youth. Many valuable principles are developed in it and usefol sugges- tions nude. Go and buy it."
Notices might be quoted from the N. Y. Evangelist and Observer, and In- dependent, from the l'Iladelphia Presbyterian, Boston Congregationalist, New-Englander, and various papers in other parts of the Union, all in the style of approval and commendation.
INDIA AND THE HINDOOS:
BEING A POPULAR VIEW OF THE GEOGRAPHY, HISTORY, GOVERNMENT,
MANNERS, CUSTOMS AND RELIGION OF THAT ANCIENT PEOPLE;
WITH AN ACCOUNT OF CHRISTIAN MISSIONS AMONG THEM. WITH A NEW AND CORRECT MAP OF INDIA-TOGETHER WITH FINISHED ILLUSTRATIONS OF A PALANQUIN-
TONJON -- IIOOK SWINGING-SACRED BULL- NATIVE HOUSE, BOAT, &C., &C.
By F. De W. WARD, late Missionary among them.
PUBLISHED BY CHARLES SCRIBNER, 145 NASSAU STREET, N. Y. 341 pp .- 12 mo. Mustin $1 25, Gilt St 75.
ABRIDGED NOTICES OF THE PRESS.
New- York Spectator .- " In few volumes of its size will be found so much valuable information."
New- York Express .- " A very interesting work, the production of a New- Yorker and a man of science and scholarship. The work must, we think, have a wide sale."
New- York Courier and Enquirer .- " A work of decided value and inter- est."
New- York Tribune .- " The condition of India as it was and is, both in a secular und religious aspect, is portrayed at length with much livelmess and strengtli of de- scription."
New-York Observer .- " The writer of this work had the best opportumtics of understanding well his subject and he evidently improved them to good purpose. The book contains a vast amount of useful information on general subjects, while it is an import- ani contribution to the cause of foreign missions."
New- York Evangelist .- " These sketches are remarkably full of instruction and present a complete and striking view of the peculiarities of the Hindous."
Genesee Evangelist, (Rochester.)-"The work is really, what it purports to be on the title page. The Author is evidently master of his subject and tells what he has to sayın a direct, pleasing and dignified manner. The person who cannot read it through with unabated interest, must suspect some fault in himself."
New- York Journal of Commerce .- " A good book on India and the lin- doos and one which supplies a long felt desiderattum."
New- York Churchman .- " A pleasing, instructive and candid volume. We know of no work where the same amount of useful information respecting the people of Iu- dia is conveyed in so compact a space and at the same time in so agreeable a manner."
Presbyterian, (Philadelphia.)-"A well prepared volume and valuable work." Graham's Magazine, (Philadelphia.) -- " A volume full of interest."
American & Foreign Christian Union, (N. Y.)-" The chapters on the means of advancing christianity in India and the efforts that have been made for the purpose, are peculiarly valnable."
Missionary Herald, ( Boston.)-" A very interesting and instructive work. It is all that it's title promises and will be sought for, no doubt, by many readers."
Buffalo Commercial Advertiser .- " A work in which all classes of persons will find an interest and is an important contribution to our literary fund."
Rochester American .- " The work meets with great favor from the reading public, ns was anticipated by the friends of the Author."
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