USA > New York > Oneida County > Utica > Historical fallacies regarding colonial New York : an address delivered before the Oneida Historical Society, Utica, N.Y., at its second annual meeting, January 14, 1879 > Part 8
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An involuntary shout of laughter filled the court house.
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Mr. Huntington at once discontinued the action, but his friendship with Captain Potter continued.
Until after the year 1800, no one foresaw the dimensions U'tica was destined to attain in less than a century, nor dreamed that it would become the important commercial and manufacturing city it now is, the ornament of central New York with its abodes of wealth and cultivated taste, and adorned with its beautiful churches, educational estab- lishments and asylums for the relief of suffering infancy, and for the solace of those, who in the evening of their days, might suffer the evils of want and homeless poverty. The prophets of the day regarded the crossing place from the Mohawk to Wood Creek at Fort Stanwix which connected the canoe navigation from Schenectady to Lake Ontario as likely to become the site of the leading town in central New York. The length of this portage was but two miles. En- terprising men in the eastern part of the State, at a very early day directed their attention to the connecting of the waters of the two streams so as to open a navigable channel for batteaux from Schenectady through Oneida Lake and the Oswego River to Lake Ontario. In March, 1792, an act was passed by the Legislature incorporating a company "for the purpose of opening a lock navigation from the navigable waters of the Hudson to Lakes Ontario and Seneca," under the style of "The Western Inland Lock Navigation Com- pany." The company was organized with a board of direc- tors consisting of some of the leading men in the State, with General Phillip Schuyler as president. An examination of the Mohawk from Schenectady to its confluence with the Hudson showed so many difficulties in its passage around
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the Cahoes, that it was deemed inexpedient to construct that part of the line. The company thereupon concluded to commence the navigation at Schenectady and by clearing out the shallow places on the Mohawk and Wood Creek aud and constructing a canal around the Little Falls and an- other from the Mohawk to Wood Creek complete a navi- gation through Oneida Lake to Lake Ontario.
It is hardly credible at this day that there was not engi- neering skill in this country sufficient to direct the con- struction of this work ; yet such was the fact. Mr. William Western, a gentleman of education and a skillful engineer was brought from England to assume charge of the work at what was then deemed the enormous salary of £1,000 sterling per annum. The navigation was completed in 1797 and continued to be used until the Erie Canal was finished. The dimensions were too small to be very important as a channel of commerce. The locks were seventy feet in length and seven feet in width and calculated for the passage of batteaux drawing 21 inches of water.' The boats navigating it could not at the ordinary stage of water carry more than five or six tons of cargo.
Another anecdote indicating the progress of engineering in this country may not be uninteresting. The late Benja- min Wright, of Rome, while a youth, spent some time with Baron Steuben, assisting him in the survey of his lands. While Mr. Western was engaged in superintending the con- struction of the canal and locks at Rome, Mr. Wright was employed by him as an assistant. After Mr. Western re- turned to England, General Schuyler expressed a regret to
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Mr. Huntington who had charge of the canal that he had not employed Mr. Western to make a topographical map of the Mohawk, as he knew no one who could be procured to do it. Mr. Huntington told him that he had a young man who could do it, and named Mr. Wright. General Schuyler employed him to make a survey and map showing the levels of the river, and was delighted with the skill with which it was made.
When the law was passed for the construction of the Erie Canal, Mr. (then Judge) Wright was selected as one of the chief engineers, and continued to discharge the duties of his office until it was finished. He was afterwards engaged in various important public works, and was universally regarded in the very front rank of American engineers.
For several years Whitesboro continued to be the leading settlement and the commercial centre of the county. The road westward from Albany to Schenectady, then following up the north bank of the Mohawk, was still a country road, and a very poor one at that. In 1787 the first turnpike-road in the State was incorporated. It was to construct a turnpike between Albany and Schenectady, so as to facilitate the direct crossing of the ridge between the Hudson, at Albany and the Mohawk, at Schenectady. The company was not organized, and just a year after another act was passed incorporating a new company under the title of the Great Western Turnpike Company. This made the road from Albany westward.
It is to the construction of this turnpike-road that Utica is indebted for her subsequent growth. Commissioners were appointed to determine its route. It was a question
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with them where it should cross the Mohawk. The tradi- tion is that Judge White was opposed to having roads with toll-gates. He wished all the roads to be free in his neighbor- hood so as to invite emigration ; and he insisted to the com- missioners that they should not cross at the old Sanquoit landing on this account. The late Jedediah Sangor had just established himself at New Hartford, and built a flour- mill there. He was a man of forethought, and foresaw the crossing at Fort Schuyler would necessitate a straight road to his settlement, and tend to build it up, and he had no fear of toll-gates. By his influence the road was made to cross there.
When the road was completed, Utica, instead of Rome or Whitesboro, became practically the head of the river navi- gation, and the point of departure of wagon transportation for the western country. The navigation from Rome west- ward to Lake Ontario never became very important. West- ward from Rome there was no good road to the line of the turnpike to furnish Rome a convenient point of departure from the river. The land lying westerly was a deep swamp. The turnpike engrossed the largest share of transporta- tion from Utica westward, and a very considerable part of that from Albany. But up to 1804 Utica had not become so large a village as either Rome or Whitesboro.
The early settlers of Oneida County were in a large pro- portion men of intelligence, culture and enterprise. Within a very few years they erected churches and established schools in all the settlements. As early as 1793, Hamilton Oneida Academy, the germ of Hamilton College, was estab- lished. The Rev. Samuel Kirkland, the Apostle of Chris-
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tianity to the Heathen Oneidas was the principal mover in the enterprise. This was the first incorporated academy west of Schenectady. Among its first trustees were General Alexander Hamilton, Chancellor Lansing, and Egbert Benson, then one of the justices of the Supreme Court. An academi- cal building was erected, the corner-stone having been laid by Baron Steuben. The academy was originally intended to be enlarged into a college, and in 1812 a college charter was granted to it by the Board of Regents of the University. The charter was eminently a liberal one. It was intended that the college should be free from sectarianism. Its first board of trustees included leading farmers, clergymen, law- yers, and merchants, men of various denominations of religion. In 1823, when a committee of the trustees visited the college to an make examination in relation to a college difficulty, its members consisted of a Presbyterian, an Epis- copalian, and a Roman Catholic.
As early as 1791 Congregational churches had been gath- ered in New Hartford, Kirkland and Marshall, through the missionary labors of Doctor Jonathan Edwards, familiarly known as the younger Edwards, who was subsequently president of Union College. In 1793 Presbyterian churches were founded in Whitesboro, Utica, Westmoreland and Tren- ton, and the next year in Camden and Augusta. In most of the other towns churches of various denominations had been organized. An Episcopal church was gathered in Utica in 1798 by the Rev. Philander Chase afterwards Bishop of Ohio and Illinois, and within a short time another in Paris.
The origin of the Baptist church in Oneida County is in- teresting as showing the character of one of its principal
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founders and his influence in building up his denomination there.
In 1796 Rev. Stephen Parsons organized a Baptist church in Whitesboro, and received to its communion Caleb Doug- lass, then a blacksmith. Mr. Parsons remained its pastor but a few years, when Mr. Douglass, who had been the most active of its members was called to the ministry as its pastor. This was in 1802. He was a man of great energy and of pro- found religious convictions. As a part of his belief the chris- tian minister should not pass a definite stage of preparation for his work, but should by careful reading of the holy scrip- tures and prayer qualify himself, so that led by the immediate influences of the Holy Spirit he could faithfully and effec- tively preach the gospel. As a necessary consequence the christian pastor should not be paid for his services. He should not in the language of the day be a hireling. These two positions he earnestly inculcated in his preachings and pastoral visitations. And he illustrated them by his prac- tise. He continued to be a blacksmith, on week days work- ing at his anvil, and on Sundays administering to the spiritual wants of his flock; and instead of being in- debted to his congregation for any part of his support his house was the abode of hospitality for his brethren and the sojourn of his parishioners during the interval of worship on Sunday. He continued to preach to his people and to perform missionary labor in gathering and organizing Bap- tist churches and administering the sacraments throughout the county and in the neighboring towns for some twelve or fifteen years. He frequently urged upon his hearers the evils of a learned and a hireling clergy. At length a young
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man who had been graduated at Dartmouth College and had been ordained in the Baptist church, visited Elder Douglass. He was induced by him to remain his guest until the next Sunday when he preached for him in both morning and afternoon services. It was Elijah W. Willey, subsequently an approved and successful Baptist minister for many years. When Mr. Willey closed his afternoon service, Elder Douglass arose, and addressing his congregation told them that he had administered to them in sacred things some fifteen years and had endeavored to lay before them the bread of life to the best of his ability; that they knew his views concerning the sacred ministry ; that he had often warned them against a learned and a hireling ministry; that his views had yielded to his deep convictions of his error; that he had experienced the want of more learning to render his preaching properly instructive ; that he was now convinced that a pastor should be well educated in christian learning and that he should be constantly acquiring knowledge to be the pastor as well as the teacher of his flock ; to do this he must have leisure and must be supported by his church, and become what he had fre- quently designated a hireling. He then told that he had be- come an old man and soon must give up his labors, when his church would have to receive another, to become their chris- tian pastor. They had now present a young brother who had the advantages of education, who had just preached to them. He would be happy if they would chose him to be their minister, and pay him for his services, a salary sufficient to support him. To show them that he was in earnest, he proposed they should start a subscription for the purpose, and he would lead it with what was a large sum.
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The good old man resumed his seat. The congregation was astounded, but they had unlimited confidence in the judgement of the elder, and his argument had commanded universal assent. The subscription was filled, and Elder Willey was installed as a learned and hireling pastor. The good old blacksmith after a few years removed from Whitesboro to a western town, where he subsequently died in a good old age, universally respected and be- loved. It is many years since, but those of his acquaint- ances who survive, remember him with affection and cher- ish his memory as of a saintly man, more worthy of honor and respect as an apostle of his faith, than thousands who are decorated with the degrees of half a dozen uni- versities. It is now rare to find Baptists who do not regard education and pastoral support with favor, and its members are generally inclined to award a generous support to their ministers.
A notice of the erection of the first Methodist church in Rome, will awaken the memories of some of the older of my auditors. A Methodist society was formed in that village, carly in the present century, but until 1826 it had no place of worship. Its members had become prosperous in their cir- cumstances and concluded to erect a church. They very natu- rally wished to erect one to compare in architectural beauty favorably with those of the other religious communities in the town. After due consideration, the trustees adopted a plan for one with a modest steeple in two sections. A Metho- dist meeting house with a steeple, was then unusual, and the consciences of a portion of the brethren and sisters who adhered rigidly to the early traditions of Methodism were not
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a little disturbed as such a manifest departure from Chris- tian simplicity. Church meetings were called and sharp lines drawn between the steeple and no-steeple men and women, and abundance of theological logie was brought into play. The question was brought before the lowest church court and then carried by successive appeals to the highest- the general conference then held at Pittsburgh. After profound and learned arguments this body disposed of the question to the satisfaction of most of the two parties, by ad- judging that as the lowest section of the steeple would serve a good purpose for a bellfrey and hold a bell to call people to church -- that might stand, but that the upper section not being intended for use but merely for ornament, like other vanities should be abandoned by sober christian people.
The judgment was submitted to and carried out, and it was said that this was the first Meeting House in the land with a steeple. Some, however of the older members of the church used to their day of the death to call it a "steeple house."
The Methodists since then have made decided progress in Church architecture. At this day some of the handsom- est ecclesiastical structures in the country have been built by Churches of their denomination.
The march of Oneida County during the whole period of its history, has been largely owing to the high standing of her early inhabitants in intelligence and culture. A large proportion of its men and women were persons of superior intelligence and worth in their several positions. The po- litical questions that agitated the whole American people, were held with singular tenacity. Under the first four
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Presidents of the United States, there was a decided pre- dominance of Federalists in the country. Until the days of Jacksonism the method of nominations to public office by both parties, was not made as now by delegated conventions and primary meetings. An invitation would be published inviting the members of the party to a county meeting to make nomination of candidates. These meetings were gen- erally attended by but few gentlemen. Those present selected candidates whom they recommended. I remember in my boyish days going to see what turned out to be the last Federalist meeting held in the County. It was called to nominate candidates for election to the Assembly, the old court-house in Whitesboro being the place of meeting, and not being half filled. After the meeting was organised a com- mittee was formed to recommend persons for candidates. They reported a ticket with the late General Joseph Kirkland at its head. He arose and thanking his friends for the com- pliment respectfully declined the honor. A vote was about being taken on a motion to excuse him. He again arose and declared that his engagements would not permit him to accept the nomination and asked that some one might be selected to fill the place. The meeting laughed at his remonstrance voted unanimously not to excuse him. and insisted that he must be the candidate.
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I was present some years after this at a meeting of those who favored the second election of John Quincy Adams, to the presidency. It was held at the Presbyterian Church in Whitesboro, which was crowded, as it was understood that the late Henry R. Storrs who was then a member of Con- gress would address his constituents. This was simply a
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county meeting. After an eloquent address by Mr. Storrs, an elector was nominated with entire unanimity.
The first nomination of Mr. Storrs to Congress illustrates the habits of the politicians of the day. Since 1820 Oneida County has with singular unanimity adhered to what in the days of Henry Clay was called the American system -favoring a protective tariff. But it was not always so.
Prior to the war of 1812, cotton and woolen factories had been erected in several towns, and the wants of the country during the war had given to them prosperity. After the war Congress revised its tariff in the interest of protection. This did not meet the views of some of the farmers who were staunch federalists. In 1820, there was a congressman to be elected, and the leading men of the Federal party were in favor of selecting the late James Lynch afterwards of New York then a resident of Rome. He was a gentleman of high social position, good standing at the bar, and of pleasing manners. He had lived at Rome several years where he had built a large mill and satinet factory. No one else was spoken of as the person to be nominated. The county meeting assembled. It was composed of a few leading men from Whitsboro and Utica and a few of the most influential farmers of the vicinity. A committee was constituted of five or six members to select and report to the meeting a candidate. The Chairman of the meeting named the committee, placing upon it three of the farmers, who were leading men in their towns. The committtee retired to consult, and the farmers happened to be opposed in princi- ple to a protective tariff, and afraid to send any one to Con- gress, who owned a satinet factory, and who would, of course,
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as they supposed be in favor of legislative protection to manufacturers. The other members of the committee tried to quiet their opposition, but in those days nom- inations were regarded as simple recommendations and were not made by bargain and sale to be carried by the force of political machinery, which first buys up a convention and then registers its decrees to be carried out by dragooning, the simple members of theparty under whip and spur to sustain them. After earnest discussion, it was found impossible to overcome the free trade scruples of the farmers on the committee, when a gentleman proposed the name of the late Henry R. Storrs. This was satisfactory to all and he was reported to the meeting as the candidate and adopted by the meeting by a unanimous vote. He was sub- sequently elected. This was the commencement of his po- litical career. Judge Bacon, in his lecture on the bar of Oneida County, has given you a happy sketch of him. He possessed talents as an orator, at the bar, and in Congress, that have never been excelled. He had a commanding per- son, with a wonderfully rich and flexible voice. In the open air he could speak in a whisper so as to be heard by an au- dience of ten thousand men; and he could elevate it to thunder tones without stretching it. His gesticulations were exceedingly graceful. He possessed a rare command of language and his mind was filled with elegant learning al- ways at his command. His power over his audience was elec- tric, whether exercised, to excite merriment or tears, or to carry conviction to the reason. Henry Clay said of him that he was the most eloquent man who had ever spoken in Congress.
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During Mr. Storrs' first congressional term the country was agitated with the question of admitting Missouri without the power to hold slaves. Mr. Storrs was of opinion that Congress had no power under the terms of the compact by which her territory had been acquired and the laws passed in- viting its original inhabitants to bring their slaves into the territory, to impose the condition upon her. He therefore voted for her admission without restriction. It was an un- fortunate vote, and he was so censured for it by his friends, that he declined a re-election, and General Kirkland was called to his place. At the end of the term of the latter Mr. Storrs was nominated for the position by the "Bucktail Party," as it was called, formed from democrats opposed to De Witt Clinton, and oldtime federalists, whose carly war- fare, against Mr. Clinton, led them instinctively to oppose him. Mr. Storrs was elected, and at the next election became a candidate in opposition to the Democratic party and was re-elected. He was twice after this elected, and it had become understood that it mattered little who nomi- nated or opposed him, he would command the vote of Oneida County. At the close of his fifth term he re- moved to the City of New York where he practised his profession during the residue of his life.
I may here to advert to a controversy which once excited Utica and the towns of Whitestown and Rome, but which has long since been forgotten by most of your citizens. Whites- boro and Rome had at an early day been the seats of court houses and divided the courts of record. By the year 1817, Utica had grown beyond the limits of both these villages, and its inhabitants conceived the idea of making it the sin-
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gle shire town of the county. It was perfectly clear to the Uticans that it was the central town and the proper place for the courts. The early supremacy of Rome and Whites- town was held for naught, very much to the disgust of their inhabitants who had borne the front in the battle of pioneer- ism and who boasted the possession of the most learned lawyers in the county. They were aroused and sent agents throughout the northern towns obtaining remonstrances against the proposed wrong and by placards posted in every tavern and horse-shed depicted the disasters that would flow over the County and indeed the State from the removal of the courts. Among other things to protect themselves and the county, a newspaper was established in Rome under the name of the Oneida Obserrer, which continued there until the court house controversy was terminated by the triumph of the joint power of Rome and Whitesboro, when the news- paper was transferred to the democratic party and removed to Utica. I believe the journal is perpetuated under the same name and that it has during its whole existence done battle valiantly for the democratic party in all its windings and turnings of doctrine.
Whitesboro for many years continued to hold half the county courts, and divided with Rome one half the circuit courts; until at length Utica quietly absorbed them all. With this exception, I believe that Oneida County has never had a general quarrel among its citizens. A little generous rivalry was awakened at the time the Black River Railroad was projected, but the strife soon ceased when the · rival parties had come to the bottom of their purses. The ancient friendship was then speedily restored and Rome en-
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tered upon a new course of progress which has made it one of the most beautiful cities of the State.
The labors of the early inhabitants of Oneida County achieved for it a high standing among the counties of the State. No one of them has enjoyed the labors of a more learned and self devoted clergy : none has had a more tal- ented and accomplished bar; none a more distinguished body of medical practitioners ; no county has distinguished itself more in institutions for the relief of suffering and in- firmity ; few counties but Oneida have had their large hearted Faxtons with the spirit of Peter Cooper, to become the exec- utors of their own wills in bestowing the fruits of long life labors for the cause of education and humanity. Your or- phan asyluns and homes for the aged and infirm, your public schools and academies ; and your Hamilton College and your Whitesboro Seminary have been producing the legiti- mate results of their creation; and among other associa- tions your society formed to perpetuate the story of its progress. Nowhere are more beautiful farms, more tasteful homesteads with their ornamental grounds and gardens to be found, and he who can ride throughout your territory without admiration of its landscapes must be singu- larly unappreciative of real beauty.
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