History of Chautauqua County, New York, Part 102

Author: Edson, Obed, 1832-; Merrill, Georgia Drew, editor
Publication date: 1894
Publisher: Boston, Mass. : W.A. Fergusson
Number of Pages: 1068

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His ability and accuracy in surveying, his fine personal appearance, his education and his knowledge of men and affairs won the favor of his employers, and when the Holland Land Company located its office in the wilderness of Chautauqua county at the incipient village of Mayville he was appointed resident agent for the company in this county. He made his home at May- ville in IS10 and discharged the important duties connected with his trust until the company sold its lands in 1836 and closed its office. He was ever highly esteemed by his employers, and by those he employed held as a " faithful and honored friend." Soon after his arrival he had personally made himself acquainted with the lands and advantages of the various sec- tions of the county, was enable to give excellent advice to the prospective set- tlers and many of those who purchased lands were guided by his opinions .. He was an ardent Democrat of the Jeffersonian type, was the first treasurer of Chautauqua county, was carly appointed associate judge of the county court and during the early period of the county's existence served it in many responsible capacities. He was wise and sagacious in his forecasts of the growth of the United States, was one of the first to see the necessity of a waterway from the great lakes to the ocean, and furnished the material for the celebrated series of articles in advocacy of the Erie Canal published in the Canandaigua Messenger in 1807 and 18c8 which was the first intelligent information given to the public of the feasibility of this great state work. The route he then suggested was practically followed in its construction. He located and surveyed the western division of the canal in 1816, and in 1818 was appointed to survey and make a report for constructing Buffalo lıarbor.

After 1836 his attention was given to his vast private business-the leas- ing and care of his lands (particularly those in and around Mayville) until extreme old age caused his activity to cease. In all his business affairs he he was remarkably reticent, would seldom if ever make them a topic of con- versation, and was offended if any one questioned him concerning them, but he was ever just and even liberal in his transactions, notably so with his tenants. In many instances he did not advance the rental of his property, keeping the price at the same figures for twenty or more consecutive years,

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HISTORY OF CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY, N. Y.

although the value thereof had vastly increased. In severe winters he many times instructed his agents after they had collected the quarter's rent from an indigent tenant to hand the money back as a present from him, but no pre- vious intimation of his intention was to be given. For many years he would not sell any of his vast property, which, in Buffalo especially, increased rapidly in value. During his latter years however he relaxed from this rule con- cerning his holdings about Mayville. While he would not sell his lands for any purpose, he freely gare lands for the Mayville cemetery, the sites for the academy, the district and the Union schools, and other purposes, made large donations to the masonic lodge, $5,000 at one time to free it from debt, etc. He disliked to be importuned for aid to charitable objects, but his liberal gifts show that his was a generous and philanthropic nature.

Judge Peacock as a social character was a connecting link between the English landed proprietor of the ante-Revolution days and the civilization of the present. He took pride in his home, his family portraits, his fine horses and carriages (owned when but few possessed them). He was the embodiment of truth and honesty, detested all appearance of sham, and held oldtime court in a mansion where a select coterie of friends were ever wel- comed and entertained in the courteous and dignified ways belonging to the " old regime." He was especially favored in his domestic relations. His marriage, October 3, 1807, to Alice Evans, a niece of Joseph Ellicott, a devoted member of the Friend's society, created for him an enjoyable home. She was the Lady Bountiful of the community, a woman of strong mentality and christian benevolence. She died in 1859. They had no children but their place was filled by nieces and nephews, who bore the worthy couple deep love and veneration. He was for many years a Freemason, a practiser of the masonic virtues, and his name is preserved in the name of the lodge in Mayville. He died February 21, 1877, within one day of his ninety-seventh birthday. His last years were cared for by his nieces, Mrs. Mary Ferguson and Mrs. Sarah I. Birdsall.

ELLERY

CHAPTER LXXII.

E LLERY was named in honor of William Ellery, a signer of the Declar- ation of Independence. It was formed February 29, 1821, from the town of Chautauqua. It is the central town of the county and con- tains 30,073 acres. Chautauqua lake, for a distance of twelve miles, forms its southwestern boundary. The town is hilly, the summit being 400 feet *Contributed.

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above Chautauqua lake. The principal streams of the town are Bemus brook and Dutch Hollow creek, which empty into Chantanqua lake; and Cassa- daga creek which passes through the northeast corner, and its tributaries, Tower and Johnson brooks. The most valuable lands lie along the shore of Chautauqua. Two fine capes extend from the main land of Ellery into the lake, known as Long and Bemus Points and partly enclose a beautiful bay, sometimes called the Middle lake. There is no large village, but several small collections of houses or hamlets. Along the shore of the lake there are many fine cottages and also many pleasant places of summer resort, Grif- fith's Point, Greenhurst, Bemus Point, Long Point and Maple Springs. In other parts of the town are the hamlets, Ellery Center, West Ellery and Towerville.

The first settlement was made by William Bemus in the spring of 1806 at Bemus Point. Jeremiah Griffith, about two weeks after, settled at Griffith's Point. His children were John, Seth, Samuel, Polly, Jeremiah and Alexan- der. A little later, and the same spring, Alanson Weed came with his family and settled in Ellery about two miles south of Dewittville. Abijah Bennett came with him, stayed during the summer, and the next winter brought his family. (See pages 182 and 183).

William Bemus, son of Jotham, Sr., and Tryphena (Moore) Bemus, was born at Bemus Heights, Saratoga county, N. Y., February 25, 1762. About the beginning of the Revolutionary war he removed with his father to Pitts- town, Rensselaer county. He married January 27, 1782, Mary, daughter of. Win. Prendergast, Sr. (See page 178). Mr. Bemus and his family were a part of the company of emigrants, composed chiefly of Prendergasts, who journeyed to Tennessee and returned and settled in Chautauqua. He came to Ripley in the fall of 1805, and spent the winter in Westfield near Arthur Bell's. The next spring he settled on the east side of Chautauqua lake, on land bought in January, 1806, at what has since been known as Bemns Point, in Ellery, where he resided until his death, Jannary 2, 1830, aged nearly 68 years. The wife of Mr. Bemus, born March 13, 1760, died July 11, 1845, aged 85 years. They had a large family, all of whom removed to this county. Their children were : Daniel, a physician, removed to Meadville, Pa., where he died ; Elizabeth, wife of Capt. John Silsby ; they removed to Iowa where they died ; Tryphena, who married John Griffith, son of Jeremiah Griffith. (See page 183). Thomas ; Charles ; Mehitabel, wife of Daniel Hazeltine of Jamestown. She died September 22, 1887, aged nearly 95 years. James, who married Tryphena Boyd and resided at Bemus Point, where he died. Charles Bemus, fifth child of Wm. and Mary Prendergast Bemus, was born in Pittstown, August 31, 1791. He came to Chautauqua with his parents in 1805. He married, February 28, 1811, Relepha Boyd, who was born July 20, 1790. He lived at Bemus Point, on land originally bought by his father,

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HISTORY OF CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY, N. Y.

until his death October 10, 1861. His wife died January 2, 1843. They had ten children : James, who removed to California in 1850 where he died ; Ellen, who married Daniel Smiley ; they removed to Wisconsin where Mr. Smiley died ; Matthew, married Marcelia Walters and died in March, 1879; Daniel ; Jane married Edward Copp, and died at Mayville in 1886; John married Catherine Howell and died July 24, 1872; William P., who died in September, 1890; Mehitabel, the wife of Philip A. Strong ; they reside in Iowa ; Dr. E. Marvin, died in Wisconsin in 1861 ; George H., who resides in Meadville, Pa. Daniel Bemus, fourth child of Charles and Relepha (Boyd) Bemus, was born in Ellery February 24, 1820. He married Adaline Strong September 30, 1840. She died September 22, 1845. March 1, 1847, he married Jane, daughter of Jeremiah, Jr., and Margaret (Loucks) Griffith. They had one child, Mary, who was born August 25, 1853. Daniel Bemus died December 31, 1889, aged nearly 70 years. His wife is still living in Ellery. The daughter, Mary, was married November 18, 1891, to George E. Drew. The Drew family is one of the early ones of the Plymouth colony. John Drew, grandson of Sir Edward Drew of England, emigrated to America in 1660, and settled in Plymouth, Mass.

In October, 1809, the northeastern part of the town was first settled by William Barrows, a native of New Bedford and a son-in-law of Maj. Samuel Sinclear of Sinclairville. He settled on the bank of the Cassadaga creek at the Red Bird. After clearing a tract of land he removed to Ohio. The same year John Demott settled about one-half mile south of Barrows.

In 1809 John and Joseph Silsby settled on the lake, one or two miles southeast of Bemus Point. John Silsby was a captain of a Chautauqua county company in the war of 1812, and was wounded at the battle of Buffalo. Enos Warner was an early settler in Ellery. He bought land on lots 26 and 27. John R. Russell settled on lot 30. Clark Parker, in 1810, settled on lot 27. He was an ensign in Capt. Silsby's company. William Smiley, in ISIO, removed to Ellery and died in 1825. His sons, Joseph and William, served in the war of 1812, and participated in the battle of Buffalo in Capt. Silsby's company, in which William was killed. William, a grandson of William, was killed in the battle of the Wilderness. Josiah Hovey built a cabin on lot 13 in the northeast part, and soon after, in ISHI, sold out to John Love who set- tled there. He died in Illinois in 1859, at the residence of his son Frederick. In 1815 Joseph Loucks, from Madison county, settled in the southeastern part. His sons, John, Daniel and Hiram came with him. The sons, Joseph, Henry, Peter and David came later.

William Atherly, William G. Younker, Henry Strunk, Henry Martin and Thomas Arnold also early settled in that part of the town. In 1816 Adam S. and James Pickard settled on lot 3. In a short time they removed to lot 22, in the northern part. Joseph W. came later. Their descendants still

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reside upon the highway, which is called Pickard street. About this year Samuel Young settled in this northern part upon lot 54. Ezra Young early settled on lot 46, Harry Hale on lot 38, Festus Jones, an early black- smith, on lot 37. His brother, Luther C., was a surveyor.

John Wicks, from Saratoga county, settled in Ellery in 1818. His son, James H., born in Saratoga county August 2, 1817, came to Ellery, subse- quently removed to Gerry, where he died March, 1891. He was justice of the peace for 16 years and an active Methodist. He married Sophia, daughter of Andrew Ward, an early settler and lifelong resident of Ellicott. Charles H. Wicks, their son, was born in Ellery, October 15, 1849. He was a suc- cessful teacher, and was principal of the Clymer and Panama union schools for several years. In 1878 he was elected school commissioner for the first district, held the office until 1891, when, in company with his brother Andrew, he established himself at Lakewood in the real estate business.

In 1824 Peter Pickard settled on lot 9 in the eastern part. The same year James Heath settled in the same part on lot 2. Seth Clark, Clark Parker, James Hale, John Miller and Jacob Johnson were all early settlers here. In 1824 Jolin Tompkins settled in the northeastern part.

The Hale family of Ellery dates back to the early days of the Massachu- setts colony. Asahel D. Hale is a lineal descendant in the eighth genera- tion from 1. Robert Hale who arrived at Cambridge, Massachusetts, in 1632. 2. Rev. Jolin Hale of Beverly and Salem, Mass., published a book about the Salem witchcraft and helped to put it down. 3. Rev. James Hale, the first minister at Ashford, Conn. 4. Col. James Hale. 5. John Hale, born Oet. 15, 1747, at Ashford, Conn., married Mehetable Knowlton ; she was born Sept. 18, 1750, at the same place. They were married April 14, 1772. There was born to them 13 children : Daniel, James, Mehetable, John, Zech- ariah, Stephen, Persis, Elam, Joanna, Frederick, Laura, Samuel and Orrin. 6. James Hale, born March 10, 1774, married Isabel Fuller. To them were were born six children : Harvey, Hiram, Sally, Joann, Mary, Harriet. His wife dying he married for his second wife, Louisa Butts. They had three children : Isabel, James, John. 7. Harvey Hale, born Nov. 11, 1797, in Bur- lington, Otsego county, N. Y. He married Jerusha Babcock Dec. 15, 1822. He died Dec. 27, 1876. She died April 5, 1876. She was born March 1, 1797. They settled in Ellery in the spring of 1827 about two miles north of Ellery Center. There were born to them ten children : Emeline, Mary Jane, Hartwell, Hiram, Harriet, Ira S., Asahel, Martha, Isabel and Christi- ana. 8. Asahel D. Hale, born June 11, 1833, was married Dec. 28, 1858, to Helen M. Cowan, who was born July 23, 1834. in Carroll ; she was a dangh- ter of George W. Cowan who was born in Fort Ann, Washington county, N. Y., in 1802, Jan. 26. He came with his mother, brothers and sisters and settled in Carioll in 1822. He married Sally Maria Covell August 26,

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HISTORY OF CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY, N. Y.

1830. They had two children : Margaret, Adelaide. For his second wife he married E. Louisa Covell, Sept. 17, 1833. They had ten children : Helen, Marvin, Julia Ann, Harriet, John, Merrells, LeRoy, Charles, Allen and twin son. Of these three boys served in the war of the rebellion. Marvin lost his health in the service. He died August 26, 1876 ; John was mortally wounded at the battle of South Mountain, Sept. 14, 1862 ; Le Roy died Aug. 9, 1865, from a wound received whilst in a cavalry charge near Fisher's hill. 9. George M. Hale, only child of Asahel D. and Helen M. Hale, was born Nov. 27 1866, married Dec. 26, 1888, Mina A. Pease, born January 19, 1870. They have one son, H. Marshall D. Hale, born Oct. 17, 1890.

Nathaniel C. Bargar was born at Peekskill, N. Y., June 24, 1808. In 1828 he married Catharine Tompkins, and immediately started for the west over the Erie canal, and settled in 1828 in the eastern part of the town of Ellery, where he made his home until his decease. Mrs. Bargar died in 1837. Their children were John D., Nathaniel T. and Lowry D. Mr. Bargar married Tamar Tompkins July 16, 1837. Their children were Emery O., Elias C., Westoby, Mary A., Martha J. and Lewis. Mr. Bargar died January 16, 1859. His second wife died February 23, 1871.

In 1839 Orrin Hale settled in the central part. Elhanan Winchester set- tled early near the Center. His brothers, Marcus, Jonadab, Jotham, Francis, Ebenezer, Herman and Harford all settled in the town. Ebenezer was early associated with Horace Greeley in publishing the New Yorker. The father of the Winchesters came later, and was twice married. He had 23 children, it is said. Lewis Warner early settled on lot 34, Morrison Weaver on lot 42, James Newbury on lot 18 and Amos Wood on lot 36. In the western part the early settlers were Luther Barney, James and Joseph Farlow, Ezra Horton and Joseph Brownell. Barnabas C. Brownell settled in the northwestern part.

Benjamin Parker, son of Thomas Parker, was born in Rhode Island in March, 1765. In the Revolution he was for three years employed by the Colonial government with an ox team and a cart as a transport. He mar- ried Mary, daughter of Ebenezer Davis of Hartford, Conn. She was born June 2, 1761. Mr. Parker, after residing in Washington county, came with his family to Ellery about 1816 and purchased 120 acres of land near Bemus Point, where he resided until his death November 7, 1842. His wife died January 26, 1847. Their children were Clark, married Rebecca Babcock ; Thomas, married first Hannah Arnold, second Betsey Ferris ; Phillip died in infancy ; Phillip, 2d., married Lydia Kellogg ; Betsey Jane, married Sawyer Phillips ; Benjamin married first Christina Babcock, and second Adeline Sherman ; George married Almira Gardiner ; his son, Lewis T. Parker, resides in Laona ; Diantha married Aaron Kellogg ; Amy mar- ried Benjamin Traphagan ; Ezekiel married Mary Winchester; Charles

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(see Panama); Mary married Z. Barney. Since Benjamin Parker's death the old homestead has been sold in proceedings in the supreme court in which there were 92 parties, his direct descendants.

Elisha Tower, son of Isaiah and Sylvia ('Toby) Tower, was born in New Bedford, Mass., May 10, 1788. He carly removed with his parents to Duanes- burg. In the summer of 1810 he came to Chautauqua and after a while took up 176 acres of land on lots 43 and 12 in the northeastern part of Ellery and commenced improvements. In 1813 he was drafted into the U. S. service and participated in the battle of Buffalo. He assisted his comrade, Cornelius De Long, who had been wounded in the head by a spent grape shot, to escape from the enemy. June 1, 1815, he married Philenali, daughter of Simeon and Rhobe Morgan. Mrs. Tower died December, 1860, and Mr. Tower January 17, 1866. Their children are Elisha, Jr., married Electa Moon ; Simeon M., married Sarah M. Dennison ; Corydon L., married Hannah Felt ; Rhobe A., married Ebenezer Moon ; their children are Adelbert, Delavan and De Witt. Emily M., married B. Franklin Dennison ; their children are Charles E., married Esther Lazell, and Frank T., married Kate Hopkins, (dec.), Clarissa D.

James Heath, born in Brattleboro, V't., about 1785, married Zubia Austin in Cambridge, Washington county, and moved to Wayne county, where he resided for several years. March 2, 1824, he moved to Ellery, took up land on lot 2 on the town line road between Sinclairville and Fluvanna and resided there until his death, January 17, 1845. His children were Morgan L., Elizabeth, Isaac, Ruth, Lydia, Waity, Diana, Mary, Laura, Austin, James, Ebenezer and Arville. Morgan L. Heath was born in Lyons, Wayne county, April 20, 1812 ; moved with his father's family to Ellery in 1824. December 25, 1843, he married Electa Purdy. Their children are Martin, who mar- ried Amanda Strong ; Lewis, who died at the age of sixteen ; Mary deceased, and Wilson who married Grace Harvey. Morgan L. Heath lived on his farm in Ellery until he moved to Gerry in 1888, where he now resides. He and his wife have been members of the Methodist church for over 50 years.

Odin Benedict, son of Dr. Isaac Benedict of Connecticut, was born in Skaneateles, Onondaga county, August 20, 1805. Dr. Isaac Benedict moved to Marcellus, about 1803. He was a surgeon in the U. S. service in the war of 1812, and died in 1814. Dr. Odin Benedict read medicine in his native town and graduated at Fairfield Medical College. He was licensed by the Herkimer county Medical College in January, 1826, and the same year came to Ellery Center and commenced practice. He was the first resi- dent physician of the town and for years was one of the best known in the county. He had an extensive practice which continued until the year 1850, when he removed to Ann Arbor, Michigan, and started a government stock bank. In September, 1851, he went to Dunkirk and engaged in banking

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HISTORY OF CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY, N. Y.

for a few years, after which he had a broker's office there for some years. He then resumed the practice of medicine which he continued until his death in 1874. He was elected supervisor of Ellery in 1833 and was super- visor of that town 14 years. He was member of assembly in 1840 and 1843 and was postmaster in Ellery for about twenty years. He was a most influ- ential and highly esteemed citizen of Ellery and of the county. In 1826 he married Sally An Copp. He died in 1874. William C. Benedict, his son, was born in Ellery and is a farmer and influential citizen of the town of Ellery. He has served his town as a supervisor for nine years. He married Mary Griffith. They have five sons: Willis, a lawyer, is cashier of the Chautauqua County Bank, Warner, Walter, William and Washburn.

Samuel Weaver, son of Morrison Weaver, was born in Pittstown, January 16, 1833, came to Ellery from Washington county with his parents in 1834 and was school teacher for several years. He was elected supervisor for Ellery in ISSS, serving one term with marked ability. He held the respect and confidence of his associates on the board. He married Evaline M. Lazell January 13, 1859. He died in 1893. He had one brother, Simeon B.

Alfred Harvey came to Ellery and settled on lot 30 March 2, 1847. He was born in Onondaga county in 1819. He married. Alsina, daughter of Volney Patterson. (Mr. Patterson came to Gerry about 1855 and died in 1873). She was born in Onondaga county, August 31, 1826. Their children are Edwin, Alfred, Frank, Grace, married Wilson Heath, and Austin A.

Jacob R. Brownell, born in Dutchess county, January 10, 1802, after the death of his first wife Mary in 1830, married March IS, 1832, Hannah Har- rington of Hoosic and moved to Ellery the same year and settled on lot 43. He died January 20, 1871. His wife died July 25, 1862. Their son William O. Brownell was born May 18, 1834, married Armenia M., danghter of Thomas D. and Ann M. (Shears) Wallis who came to Ellery in 1836. Mr. Wallis died January 25, 1871, and his wife April 20, 1873. William O. Brownell's children are Earl W., married Mary A. Putman and lives on the the Wallis farm ; Louisa M., married Dr. Era M. Scofield of Jamestown, and George G., who married Ella MeCowl and resides in Gerry. Mrs. W. (). Brownell died November 11, 1883, and Mr. Brownell married Lucinda R., daughter of Festus and Martha Jones, April 23, 1884. Mr. Brownell is a farmer and resides at West Ellery.

Charles G. Maples, who settled on a farm in 1838, was many years justice of the peace, U. S. assistant assessor of internal revenue several years, surrogate of the county and performed the duties of his offices acceptably.

The first sawmill was built in iSoS and the first gristmill in ISHI, both by William Bemus. Joseph and David Loucks built a sawmill in the south- eastern part of the town in 1830, and in 1832 Thomas Wing built a grist- mill, but the most valuable grist and flour mill was built the same year by

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ELLERY.

Seth and Samuel Griffith. A carding and cloth dressing establishment was early erected by Tubal C. Owens on Bemus creek.

William Bemus deeded one acre of land at Bemus Point for burial pur- poses. Matthew P. Bemus afterwards conveyed seven and one-half acres to the Bemus Point Cemetery Association. A fence, at an expense of $3,000, was erected around it, and the cemetery was made one of the most tasteful in the county. A large number of the dead from Ellery and many from Harmony are buried herc.

CHURCHES .- A Baptist Church, West Ellery, was formed in ISOS by Elder Jones, then a resident of Ellery, at the house of John Putnam, who was for many years a deacon.

The Baptist Church, Ellery Center, was organized with nine members in 1814, by Elder Asa Turner, the first pastor. The first house of worship was built in 1830; in 1862 another one was built.

The First Universalist Church of Ellery was organized with 23 members, by Rev. I. George, the first pastor, June 13, 1822. A house was built in 1858 at Bemus Point.

The Methodist Episcopal Church, West Ellery, was organized with 12 members by Messrs. Chandler and Barnes in 1831. Their first church edifice was erected in 1836 ; a second one in 1861. The first pastor was Rev Win. Chandler. The Methodist Episcopal Church, Pickard Hill, was formed in 1830, Rev. J. C. Ayers, pastor. In 1871 they united with the United Brethren, · and built a union church.

The United Brethren Church, Pickard Hill, was organized in 1869, with eight members, by Rev. Lansing McIntyre, first pastor.

SUPERVISORS .- Almon Ives, 1821-24-25-26-27-32 ; Peter Loucks, 1822; Abijah Clark, 1823 ; Jonadab Winchester, 1828-31 ; Robertson Whiteside, 1829 ; John Hammond, 1830 ; Odin Benedict, 1833-34-35-36-37-38-39-41-42- 44-45-46-47-48 ; Minot Hoyt, 1840 ; George P. Vandervort, 1843-48-50; Wmn. S. Aldrich, 1851-52-53 ; Ira Haskins, 1854 ; Elias Clark, 1855 ; Leman Picket, 1856-57 ; William C. Benedict, 1858-59-60-61-62-63-65-66-72-84-85 ; James Hale, 1864 ; John R. Russell, 1867 ; John S. Bemus, 1868-69; Oscar Hale, I`70-71-75-76-86-87 ; George W. Belden, 1873-74; Asa Cheney, 1877-78-79- So-SI-82-83 ; Samuel Weaver, ISSS; Benjamin A. Pickard, 18$9-90 ; S. Dwight Thum, 1891-92-93-94.

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History of Chautauqua County, New York, Part 102

Author: Edson, Obed, 1832-; Merrill, Georgia Drew, editor Publication date: 1894 Publisher: Boston, Mass. : W.A. Fergusson Number of Pages: 1068

Author: Edson, Obed, 1832-; Merrill, Georgia Drew, editor
Publication date: 1894
Publisher: Boston, Mass. : W.A. Fergusson
Number of Pages: 1068