USA > New York > Chautauqua County > Portland > Historical sketches of the town of Portland : comprising also the pioneer history of Chautauqua County, with biographical sketches of the early settlers > Part 12
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Hollis Fay, Edwin W. Farington. Geo. Freeman, Alanson Jones, Hemy Hurist. Henry Herrick, Edwin Monfort. Ransom Pelton, Wm. Patton. Geo. Munson. Frederick Herrick, Matthew Far- ington, Lemi Bartholomew. Darwin Wilbur, Emery K. Woods. Henry Fay, John Jarvis. Calvin Andrews, Titus Roe. Jared Taylor, Daniel Burchard, Reuben Russell, Norman Brown. Stephen Druse, Ichabod Russell. Ithamer Cronch, Joseph Jarvis. Lexington Taylor, Zadoe Rogers, Robert Freeman. James Andrews, Jonathan Wilson. Alice Farington. Phebe Farington. Charlotte Farington, Harriet, Farington, Ann Brown, Harriet Delavarge, Roxana E. Fay, Louisa Granger, Mary Jones, Hepsibah Woods, Harriet Bennett. Ann Merritt. Alvira Munson. Elizabeth Freeman, Harriet Herrick. Maria Farington.
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THIE TOWN OF PORTLAND.
Mary Pelton, Sally M. Bartholomew, Lodema Noxon, Elizabeth MeGregor, Vally M. Greene, Amanda Taylor, Mary Ann Taylor. Jerusha Skidmore, Matilda Taylor, Lucinda Bart lett, Serva Russell, Martha A. Wilbur, Jane E. Hulburt. Mary F. Shuff, Mary Jarvis, Emily Freeman, Phebe Fay, Mar- garet Farington, Jane Caldwell, Flora Sperry Jane Freeman, Sarah Jane Munson, Sarah M. Brown, Huldah McGregor, Hannah Rouse, Ann Towser, Mary L. Woods, Polly Taylor. Juline Greene.
The above list does not make the full number, but the footings by the clerk at the time, make the number as stated. The church at its formation numbered more than at any subse quent period. From emigration and from other causes, the membership gradually diminished, and there being no special manifestations of grace, their numbers have fallen to thirty- nine at this writing, (1873.) The whole number of its mem- bership, from its organization to the present, is one hundred and seventy-seven. The meetings for the most part were held in the stone school house in Dist. No. 3, until the com- pletion of the church edifice.
Rev. Jonathan Wilson preached to them until August 28th. 1842, in connection with "father LaHatt," who labored with them more or less until 1850.
Rev. Levant Rathbun preached to the church two years: from April 1844.
Rev. Malcom Roberts preached from July 14, 1849, to some time in 1850. Since then they have had the ministrations of Rev. C. B. Read, John Haladay, O. L. Crittenden, W. R. Con- nelly, Alonzo Frink, Marion A. Wixon, Daniel E. Burt and J. W. Davis.
Others occupied the desk for short periods, and amongst them Rev. C. B. Keyes. Lemi Bartholomew was licensed to preach by the church May 20th, 1843, and he "improved his gift" at intervals until 1860.
Immediately after the formation of the "branch." the pro- priety of building a place of worship was earnestly discussed,
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and a subscription was drawn, March 17th, 1842, for the pur- pose of testing the feasibility of the enterprise. There being no legally organized society, by the terms of the subscription the subscribers were authorized to elect a building committee, who should act as trustees. On the 20th of April following the subscription did not exceed $475.00 ; but at a meeting held that date, it was "voted to build a meeting house according to the plan subscribed to, and that Lemi Bartholomew, Daniel M. Farington and Edwin W. Farington be a building committee and trustees for the present year." No farther advance seems to have been made until after the legal organization of the society September 12th, 1842, which took place at the school house in Dist. No. 3, their usual place of worship, Ithamer Crouch and Ichabod Russell pre- siding. The society there formed was to be known as "The West Baptist Society of Portland, Chautauqua Co., N. Y." The first trustees were the same chosen in April previous. The act of incorporation was acknowledged before Hon. F. II. Ruggles of Fredonia, and recorded Oct. 4th, 1842. at page 28 of religious societies. At this meeting it was again "voted to build a meeting house on the con templated spot." More than five hundred dollars were yet needed, yet such was the anxiety manifest, and the confidence of the society in their ability to build the house, that they resolved as above stated and at once set about the work. Notwithstanding the meager show with reference to material aid, through the active and ener- getic efforts of the trustees and a few others, the present brick edifice, standing on the southerly portion of lot 41, T. 5, was put up the same fall, and the next season finished and dedicated. The land upon which it stands was purchased of Daniel M. Farington for $75.00. The brick work was done by Godfry Bryant of Westfield, and the carpenter and joiner work by Lemi Bartholomew and E. W. Farington. The parsonage lot upon which was an old frame building, was purchased of the heirs of Stephen
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THE TOWN OF PORTLAND.
Pratt. The present parsonage was built in 1867. The sheds in the rear of the church edifice were built at private expense.
This church and society deserve to live and prosper, and doubtless will, if they but keep in view the great end of their associated existence.
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CHAPTER XXVII.
Universalist Church and Society.
A compact. or agreement by a number of members of this faith in town. was made and sigued at the house of Simon Burton. at the mouth of "Slippery Rock Creek" on the 21st of September 1821. The paper then presented. and signed by fourteen persons. informally creating a society of the order. was as follows:
"We the undersigned. believing in the universal goodness of God to man as revealed in the person of Jesus Christ our Lord. believing also that it is essentially necessary for our immediate happiness and for the declarative glory of God that we live sober. righteous and godly lives, and for which we have our full reward in this world. but to be saved from sin is the work of God and not man. in whom we have the strongest faith. and confidence in his promises. that in the dispensation of the fulness of time he will gather together in one all things in Christ. both they which are in heaven and they which are on the earth. even in Him: and as we feel desirous for the pro- motion of brotherly love and friendship among men. and wishing to increase the npbuilding of the Redeemer's kingdom: and as we believe the preaching of the Gospel, which is glad tidings of great joy which the angels declared should be to all people, is both necessary and salutary: do for these purposes unite and associate our- selves together by the name and title of the First Univer-
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THE TOWN OF PORTLAND.
salist Society in Portland, and pledge ourselves to adopt, support and abide by the following articles, viz :
Art. 1. The first meeting of the society shall be on the 24th of September 1821, and annually ou the same day hereafter at such places as shall be agreed upon at a previous meeting.
The business, when met, shall be to elect one or more trustees, who are to take charge of the concerns of the society : and a clerk who shall record the proceedings in a book provided for that purpose.
: Art 3. The said trustees shall have power to call a special meeting of the society at such time and place as they shall think proper by giving six days previous notice. PORTLAND, September 2Ist, 1821."
(Signed)
Simon Burton.
Willard Burton.
Oliver Spafford.
Hiram Burton,
Harry Mumford,
Moses Joy.
David Joy, Walter Mumford,
Ahira Hall, Zimri Hill.
Samnel Beach, 2d.
Slapp Hovey.
Lyman Doolittle, James Charter.
In accordance with the provisions of the above, a meeting was held on the 24th of the same month, and a board of trustees and a clerk chosen. Meetings for the next year were occasionally held at the house of Simon Burton or the house of some other member. Not far from one year from the date of the first formation of the society. a church was formed with thirty five members mostly from the families of those first uniting in the compact, and baptism, the administration of the Eucharist, and other rites and ceremonies, and order of worship of a church of the order, were practiced for a number of years. The society did not own a place of worship, but held their meetings at first as stated above. in private houses. and afterward in school houses in various sections of the town.
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On March 4th, 1824, a society was formed in accordance with the statute of April 5th, 1813, for the incorporation ot religious societies, to enable the order to purchase and hold real estate, and for other purposes. The meeting was held at the house of Simon Burton, Harry Mumford and Simon Burton presiding. The name by which the society was to be known was, "The First Universalist Society in Portland." The first trustees elected were Simon Burton, Harry Mumford. Moses Joy, Willard Burton, Walter Mum ford, Wm. Dunham, jun., Hiram Burton, Ahira Hall and Oliver Spafford. The act was acknowledged before Hon. Benjamin Evans, and recorded in the county clerk's office. March 5th, 1824.
After a few years, from neglect, the provisions of the statute in such cases failed to be complied with, and the society, as such, and the church also ceased to exist. Some years since, an effort was made to reorganize the church, but from causes not known to the writer the enterprise was never completed. Meetings however have been held with more or less frequency; and for the past eighteen years in the house of the M. E. Society at Brocton, as preachers have come upon the field. This being the state of things, the number really, or nominally belonging to the order in town, cannot be determined with any degree of accuracy.
The early preachers of the order holding service in town, as far as they can now be called to mind, were Caleb Todd, Lewis C. Todd, --- Manly, T. C. Eaton, Joseph Eaton. Those more recently holding service were Stephen Rorapaugh, C. C. Richardson and L. E. Rexford.
The efficiency of the order in town is 'much impaired by the want of proper church and society organizations.
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THE TOWN OF PORTLAND.
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CHAPTER XXVIII.
Protestant Methodist Church.
In the spring of 1858, a church of the Protestant Meth- odist order was organized at the school house in Dist. No. 11. near the residence of Isaac Howe, by Rev. O. C. Payne of Fredonia. This movement was for the conve- nience of members living in the vicinity, and at an incon- venient distance from any place of worship of the order. The names of the original members were as follows : Wolcott Colt, Chandler Colt. Mrs. Merab Colt. Joel S. Farnham, Mrs. Lydia Farnham, Platt A. Lathrop. Lucy Lathrop. Collins Haight, Sarah Colt. Mrs. Nancy Porter. Cynthia Kelley and Mrs. Cornelia Howe. The preachers sent to the charge were Rev. O. C. Payne, Rev. William A. Sharp. Rev. A. S. Ostrand. Platt A. Lathrop was elected leader of the class. All the members are still living with the exception of Joel S. Farnham and Lucy Lathrop. No society was incorporated, and the church organization. after two or three years, was discontinued ; not a single member at this writing remains upon the field.
Roman Catholic .- The Roman Catholic church has a representation in town of about thirty members, mostly Irish, but with what particular church organization they are connected is not known. They have no church organiza- tion in town. It is in contemplation however to erect a church edifice near Brocton Station. the present season. 1873.
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HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF
Freewill Baptists .- A church of this order was formed on the south border of the town many years since, and a house of worship built on "Chautauqua Hill." within the town of Chantauqua: but the writer has learned very little definitely with reference to it. It ceased to exist probably twenty five to thirty years, since.
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THE TOWN OF PORTLAND.
CHAPTER XXIX.
Brotherhood of the New Life.
Rev. Thomas Lake Harris, of Amenia, Dutchess county. N. Y., purchased, principally in 1867, nearly two thousand acres of farm lands in Portland, mainly on the lake border, for the purpose of establishing a branch of the order of the "Brotherhood of the New Life," an order to some extent known in Europe, but less in America. In this enterprise Mr. Harris associated with himself a few chosen friends, who. like their leader were enthusiasts in their belief. The asso- ciation at present numbers above one hundred, but sixty- five or seventy however are now engaged upon their pur- chase : the balance finding their use in various sections of this country and in Europe. They live by themselves as far as possible, and are exceedingly reticent with reference to the association and its inner workings when approached by those outside, and will hold no converse with the simply curious. They are usually known as the "Harris Community." though they repudiate the idea of being a "community" as such. The fact of their being difficult of access excites curiosity, and is the occasion of much impertinent inquiry- The air and charm of mystery hangs over and about them : and what the world has learned of them is very little, and that in such conflicting statements that it has been impos- sible to form a correct opinion with reference to them or their mode of life. The association has gained considerable noto- riety and prominence from the fact of its numbering among its members those "widely known in Theological, Literary
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IHISTORICAL SKETCHES OF
and Political circles;" and among these "Lady Oliphant and her son Hon. Lawrence Oliphant. Both are well known in the literary world ; and Mr. Oliphant when he left England gave up his seat in Parliament, where he was a prominent and active member." "Mr. Harris is well known by his writings and otherwise. Formerly he was a successful and popular Universalist preacher in New York city; afterward a thorough investigator of Spiritualism :" and for some time a Swedenborgian. Some years since he visited England where he became well known as a preacher and writer; but eventually returned to America and established the "Broth- erhood." Fearing that he might make statements entirely inconsistent with facts in speaking of the order, the writer addressed a letter to Mr. Harris, asking such information with reference to the association as he was willing to furnish for historical purposes. and very promptly received the fol- lowing in reply.
SALEM-ON-ERIE, N. Y., April 13. 1873.
DR. II. C. TAYLOR :- Esteemed Friend :- In response to your recent favor permit me to reply as follows :
1. The purchase made by myself and friends in the town of Portland consists of something less than two thousand acres ; principally of farm and vineyard lands, but inclusive of the plat at the junction of the Lake Shore and Alleghany Valley Railroad, where we are laying out a village which we have named Salem-on-Erie designing to make it an indus- trial and business center. These properties were secured mainly in the month of October 1867: about one half as a personal investment. and the moiety in behalf of the gentlemen interested with me in the enterprise. These lands, in part, comprise what is known on the old town maps as "the Diamond." and extend in length two miles on the shore of Lake Erie, being nearly contiguous to each other.'
(1) These lands were purchased mainly of T. S. Moss, Mark Haight, H. A. Burton, Hiram Burton, John Dudley, Owen Powell, Ogden Bradley, Reuben Ogden, John Har- denburg. Simon Burton, Joseph Shaver, Henry Churchill, A. E. Lamont, W. M. Hen- (lerson, J. B. Fay, Chester Skinner, H. C. Taylor, Worthy Rolph. and Mrs. Caroline Hall.
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THE TOWN OF PORTLAND.
Besides the usual operations in agriculture and vinecul- ture, we are engaged, Ist in the wholesale pressing and ship- ping of hay;1 2d in the general nursery business ;2 in the manufacture and sale of pure native wines, more espe- cially for medicinal use. Our product of wines is from fifteen thousand to twenty-three thousand gallons annually. Our principal cellar is of stone, arched and fireproof, one hundred and ten feet in length, and affording with the one adjoining, storage for about sixty-five thousand gallons of wine.3 At the village we also carry on a hotel and restaurant, and have just enlarged our operations by erecting a steam grist mill and opening an exchange for transactions in produce and gen- eral merchandize. We are at present laying out and planting a public park and gardens, and draining and improving as well as from time to time adding to the freehold estate. Thus far in brief of the mere material question.
2. As the religious principles held by myself and asso- ciates, and which form the grounds of our business relations and social co-operations afford a subject of very natural inquiry in the county, the more so, as we make no efforts to indoc- trinate or proselyte,-a few words in reference to them may perhaps be not wholly devoid of interest.
We are connected by sympathy and general unity of purpose with a society, better known in Europe than in America, whose members have adopted the name of the "Brotherhood of the New Life," and whose one object is therealization of the noble christian ideal in social service. It is simply an effort to demonstrate that the ethical creed of the Gospel is sus- eptible of service as a working system, adapted to the com- plex and cultured nineteenth century, and containing the prac"
(1) They cut and secured in 1872 about one thousand tons of hay from their own premises, and purchased from outside parties about two hundred and fifty tons. Of this amount eight hundred and fifty tons were pressed and sent to market ; the balance used by them and sold to parties near home.
(2) The "Chautauqua County Green Houses and Nurseries " situated at their village at the " junction " are quite extensive, and being yearly enlarged. The grounds are beautifully laid out, and the whole admirably conducted.
(3) This part of their business is under the name of the "Lake Erie and Missouri River Wine Company." The grapes manufactured are in part raised by them, and in part obtained by purchase, .
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tieal solution of the social problems of the age. In one sense the Brotherhood are Spiritualists :' in the fervid and intense conviction that the individual man has no real life in himself : that all life, and with it the virtues and energies of life are the result of a divine inflowing. Considering. first, that all real life is the continuous outgift of God, and second. that our Lord is that one true and living God; (whether right or wrong in their opinion) there is amongst them a practical faith in him as the sole Ruler, Actuator and Director. They are monarchists who recognize the Divine Man for their Sovereign.
In another sense the Brotherhood are Socialists. They con- sider that the practical fulfilment of the Gospel is in what may be termed "Divine-natural Society." From the present civilization. the aggregation of self-interests, they would evolve a noble form, "one pure and perfect chrysolite,"-the associa- tion of noble and cultured souls in every industrial and human service. They hold most fully, most vitally that "the worship of God is the service of humanity." If they revere in Christ. the Lord, they also accept in Him the Artisan.
Marriage, the Family and Property, that triad of institutions most menaced by the revolutionary and distinctive spirit of the age, are held by them of infinite authority and universal value. Of the first they believe that man and woman, two in one, made in the image of the Divine Spirit, perfect in eternity that holy relation that finds here its fit and beautiful expres- sion in wedded love. Of the second they hold that restored to its divine purity and unselfishness, it builds the Home as the microcosm and nursery of the heavens. Of the third they consider that while communism has its transient use in crisis of reaction against a prevalent worldliness, yet that individual possessions, to men who hold all things in God and for His service in the neighbor, are indispensable, both as aids to
(1) But they reject the system of general mediumship and constant intercourse with the spirit world, as profitless, dangerous, and even profane. They accept Mr. Harris as their center, and believe that the will of Heaven is transmitted to them through him.
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THE TOWN OF PORTLAND.
individual growth and means of public usefulness. In a word. the time-honored virtues, Faith, Loyalty, Honor, Purity and Obedience are believed by them to be of infinite present and real moment. While they do not reject the sacred observ- ance of accustomed Religion, they believe in uplifting every avocation of life into a permanent Religious Ministration. Cherishing the faith of Scripture in individual regeneration. they hold that it is the function of regenerate man to regen erate society ; that this work must be initiated and carried out by the entrance of the cultured, the prosperous. the gifted, as well as those of humbler state, into those employ- ments which have been counted menial ; and that those labors should be done from the inspiration of the Divine Love which have heretofore been performed from selfish greed or at the mere spur of material necessity. "See," said the ancient pagans, "how these christians love one another." It is the aim of the Brotherhood in all its many fields of action to reinstate that antique and eternal principle, not in demonstrative preachment but in a most unobtrusive yet demonstrated social fact. With kind regards, believe me respectfully yours.
THOMAS LAKE HARRIS.
The members have no permanent homes but remove from one place to another on their premises, as is best for their uses or their employment for the time, each being placed in a position for which he is best fitted. Mr. Harris has fitted up a fine residence near the lake which he has named "Vine Cliff." It is being tastefully surrounded by lawns, groves. gardens and an almost endless variety of flowering shrubs. vines and plants that render a stroll about the grounds delightful. It is beautifully situated and commands a lengthened view of the lake on the north, the Chautauqua hills rising in partially wooded slopes on the south, and seems to finely illustrate the sentiment concealed in the name chosen for their town. Sabbath service by Mr. Harris is usually held during the warm season, but at other times or when he is absent they have no public service, "but those who desire it observe Sunday with
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HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF
singing and prayer. those who do not care to meet with the others, work if they feel disposed. for, as they say, since they neither work for themselves or for gain there can be no harm in it." They profess the "highest state of christianity in which each one will take more pleasure in doing some useful service for another. from the love of it, than in serving himself."
It is but just to say of the Brotherhood in Portland that in all respects they seem to be living out the principles of their order in their every day life and regard their religion as something to be put on and worn as a garment. Their deportment is most discreet and gentlemanly. and although their interests seem to center to a large extent in their associa tion, they are excellent citizens.
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THE TOWN OF PORTLAND.
CHAPTER XXX.
Mills, Tanneries, Asheries and other Industries.
Dunham's Suw-Mill .- Wm. Dunham is claimed to have built the first mill in the town of Portland, in the fall of 1816. Considerable discussion has been had whether this was the first mill, or the one built at Brocton by Moses Sage. Botli parties seem to be sanguine in regard to priority of construc- tion ; but there is little doubt that the mill of Mr. Dunham was commenced first, and as little that the one built by Mr. Sage was the first put in running order and the first doing business. Mr. Dunham's mill was built on Dunham's creek on lot 32, T. 5. It was burned in 1818, 1833 and 1861, and each time rebuilt by the respective owners of the site. In 1850 it was rebuilt upon a site a few rods north of the original site by J. E. Harris. It is not now in operation.
Sage's Saw-Mill-Was built by Moses Sage on Slippery Rock creek at Brocton, near the west end of the dam of the grist mill in that place, in the summer and fall of 1816. It was the first mill in town doing business. [See Dunham's Mill.] Some years later it was sold to Dr. Daniel Ingalls, and in 1834 to J. C. Haight, who, with Harvey Williams. run it for two years, when it was discontinued.
Burton's Saw-Mill-Was built by Simon Burton, sr., in 1817 at the falls at the mouth of Slippery Rock creek. It was twice rebuilt by his son Hiram. The last is now standing but going to decay.
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HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF
Fay's Saw-Mill-Was built on Fay's creek, on lot 42, T. 5. in 1817 by Hollis and Elijah Fay. The mud sill is said to be still in place. In 1819 it was removed to a point near the lake by Hollis Fay where it was run for a number of years. Some remains of it are still to be seen.
Ogden's Saw-Mill-Was built by Oliver Spafford about 1820 on Slippery Rock creek about half a mile from its mouth and rebuilt by Willard Burton and Samuel Millett some years later. It is now entirely removed.
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