History of Chautauqua County, New York, Part 107

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

USA > New York > Chautauqua County > History of Chautauqua County, New York > Part 107

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to write, and entered into the clairvoyant trance. A little later there were many other mediums and believers at Laona, and it became a stronghold. For a quarter of a century meetings were held there, and undiminished inter- est taken. The " Laona Free Association," composed of Free Thinkers and Spiritualists, was organized soon after 1850, and the church of the Christian denomination purchased for their meetings which they made free to every belief. Among the early speakers were William Denton, who lectured upon geology, Andrew Jackson Davis, Elizabeth Lowe (Watson), Cora L. V. Scott (Richmond), Lyman C. Howe and others.

The Spiritualists of Laona and vicinity began to hold picnics at Willard Alden's grove upon the Cassadaga lakes nearly twenty-five years ago and Sunday, June 15, 1873, Alden's grove, Lyman C. Howe being the speaker, was dedicated to their use. Jeremiah F. Carter was the first to suggest the holding of camp-meetings. The first one held commenced Tuesday, Septem- ber 11, 1877, and closed the following Sunday. The average attendance at the meetings was about 100 and 400 on Sunday. Lectures were delivered by Mrs. Watson, Lyman C. Howe and others. Camp-meetings were held until 1880. In 1879 an association was organized with A. S. Cobb as presi- dent ; O. G. Chase, vice-president ; Thomas J. Skidmore, treasurer ; Joe W. Rood, secretary ; which purchased from Jolin and M. Fisher most of the present grounds, which were dedicated June 15, 1880. Mrs. E. L. Watson delivered the address. During the summer a two-story hotel and the first cottage (the Sage cottage) were erected and soon followed by others. August 7, the hotel was opened and the first meeting held, addressed by O. P. Kel- log, Mrs. Amelia H. Colby and others. The new organization, named by Mrs. Colby " The Cassadaga Lake Free Association " has now continued with great success for 14 years. Thousands of people annually assemble there, many from great distances, and the faine of Cassadaga or " Lily Dale " has spread far and wide. Thomas J. Skidmore succeeded Mr. Cobb as president. The present board of trustees are Hon. A. Gaston, president ; A. E. Gaston, secretary ; T. J. Skidmore, treasurer ; Maj. M. R. Rouse, H. W. Richardson, D. B. Merritt, Mrs. A. L. Pettingill and Mrs. M. H. Skidmore. In 1887 IS acres were added to the grounds and Lily Dale was set off as a new school district. In 1891 there were 125 cottages, the association property was valued at $32,000 and the entire property at $100,000. In 1893 the number of cot- tages was 215 and forty or more families were making it their permanent home. It has a good physician, water works, electric lights and all the con- veniences of a modern town. Besides lectures, there are a children's lyceum, a class in physical culture and elocution, a class in spiritual science, a danc- ing academy and a library founded by Mrs. M. H. Skidmore. Excellent vocal and instrumental music have always been provided. Damon's band of Dunkirk and the Northwestern orchestra of Meadville, Pa., have been in

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attendance for several seasons, and Belle Cole and other fine singers have delighted large audiences. Among the many speakers these have occupied the platform : Hon. A. B. French, Hon. Warren Chase, Mrs. Cora L. V. Richmond, Mrs. R. S. Lillie, O. P. Kellog, Hudson Tuttle, Prof. Bradford, Mrs. Clara Watson, Samuel Watson, Miss Jennie B. Hagan, George W. Tay- lor, A. B. Richmond, Rev. Anna Shaw, Susan B. Anthony, Hon. Sidney Dean and ex-Gov. Jolin P. St. John. He who has attended the meetings at Lily Dale, whatever belief he may entertain respecting the truth of the opinions promulgated, cannot but be impressed with the sincerity and ability with which the speakers maintain their faith.

SOMETHING ABOUT SOME OF THE PEOPLE .- Jonathan Bugbee, Jr., son of Jonathan and Mary (Dean) Bugbee, was born in Woodstock, Conn., May 11, 1789. He was a pioneer settler of Stockton, and for many years a tav- ern-keeper. He had two sons and six daughters. Judge L. Bugbee, his sec- ond son, was born in Stockton, February 10, 1818, and lived on the old homestead. His father died in 1829, and Judge remained with his mother, assisting in the support of the family. He availed himself, however, of his opportunities for education, and when 17 taught school ; when 22 he was elected commissioner of common schools, and when that office was abolished, he was appointed superintendent of schools, holding the office several years, also that of justice of the peace. He was for some time deputy collector of internal revenue. Mr. Bugbee was one of the founders and original mem- bers of the Chautauqua Society of History and Natural Science and its treas- urer until his death June 9, 1888. His paper, " Pioneer Homes in Chautau- qua County," read before the society, is a most valuable acquisition to this work as being the most graphic pen picture written of early times. He also wrote an admirable history of Stockton, which should be published as a vol- une. Judge L. Bugbee married Mary Ann Flagg. Their children were Florence E., (dec.) who married Walter B. Horton, and J. Eugene.

John West, born in New Hampshire, February 5, 1790, came in May, 1811, to Chautauqua with his foster father, Philo Hopson, and assisted him in building a log cabin on the site of the brick blacksmith shop at Hartfield ; this was the first building in that place. He afterwards assisted Hopson and William Bateman to build a sawmill on the inlet, which sawed boards the same season. In 1811 he and Dexter Barnes helped clear the land of the county poorhouse farm, and soon after he assisted to cut a road for the Holland Land Company from Gerry into Cattaraugus county. Mr. West married Martha Barnhart. Their children were Hiram, Katherine (married Samuel Bradt), Lewis, Clark (born May 27, 1819, married Jane F. Rolph), Henrietta (married Monroe Pierce), David, William, John, Eliza (married Samuel Ames), Martha (married Hiram Morse).

Walter Perrin, born in Woodstock, Conn., May 19, 1806, came to Chau-

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tauqua in 1831, remained until fall, then went to Woodstock, married Lucy Dorsett November 22, 1831, immediately returned and settled upon his farm near Centralia, where he resided until his death, June 5, 1880. Mrs. Perrin died April 2, 1891, aged 85. Of six children two lived to manhood. Cassius B., born April 26, 1845, married Lucy, daughter of Samuel Crissey ; she died January 12, 1891, leaving one daughter, Edith Fenn ; Mr. Perrin owns and occupies the old homestead ; Dwight Perrin, born July 13, 1847, resides in Jamestown.

Sawyer Phillips, son of Philip Phillips, born in Ashfield, Mass., in 1791, came to Stockton in 1815 with Aaron Smith and Daniel Whitman. They made this journey on foot. They went cast and the next spring returned with two ox teams, bringing their parents and their families. Sawyer Phil- lips, in 1818, married Jane, daughter of Benjamin Parker of Ellery. Their children, all born on the old homestead near Cassadaga now owned by Allen Putnam, were : 1, Alonzo, born in 1821, died in 1826; 2, Thomas D., born in 1822, married Loretta Hartford. Their children were Sawyer, Charles and Mary. His wife died in 1847 and he married Sybil Fisher. He prac- ticed dentistry in Cassadaga until his death in 1893; 3, Williston, born in 1824, died in Cassadaga. His daughter, Winifred, married Hon. John S. Lambert ; 4, Alonzo P., married Fidelia, daughter of Elijah Woods. He is a physician and fruit raiser, and resides at Fredonia ; 5, William W., born in 1828, resides near Cassadaga ; 6, Charles, born in 1830, resides in Cassa- daga ; 7, Sawyer, born in 1831, died in 1854; 8, Joshua, born in 1833, died in 1834; 9, Philip, born in Stockton in 1834, married Olive M. Clark of Ohio. He is a well-known author and singer of sacred music. (See page 377); 10, Rosina, born in 1836, married Milton C. Beebe in 1862, a well- known architect ; 11, Alphonzo R., died in infancy; 12, George H. ; 13, Barney.

Calvin Warren, one of the earliest settlers and the first supervisor, settled IJg miles north of Delanti. His son Chauncey was born in Windham county, Conn., in 1802, married Sally Knowlton in 1823. He succeeded to his fath- er's farm. He was six years supervisor of Stockton, and an esteemed citizen. He left three sons : 1, Amos K., distinguished for his energy and business ability. He was the pioneer of Stockton to apply improved implements and machinery to agriculture. In 1864 he was elected sheriff and removed to Mayville. He was active in the construction of the Buffalo, Corry & Pitts- burgh railroad. His chief work was his service in connection with Bishop Vincent in making Chautauqua lake a popular resort and watering place, and in building up the Chautauqua Assembly grounds. In 1845 he married Helen A. Moore. Their only child, Sarah D., died young. Mr. Warren died June 19, 1883. 2, J. Webb Warren, born in 1830, in 1852 married Myra A. Grant. They have one son, Chauncey G. 3, Lucian C. Warren, born May

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HISTORY OF CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY, N. Y.

2, 1833, studied law with Hon. Austin Smith and at the Albany law school, was admitted to the bar at Albany in 1856, and practiced in Stockton. He has been supervisor seven years. Chiefly through his efforts while on the board of supervisors was the care of the poor made a town instead of a county charge. He was also a member of the commission whose report was decisive in the celebrated case of the appeal of the town of Ellery from its assessments. In 1860 he married Mary A., daughter of Jason Crissey. They had four children : Miner S., Minnie D., Archie D, and Lucian J. . The eldest died at the age of ten years.

Chauncey Goodrich, born in Middlebury, Vt., December 17, 1803, in 1822 settled on lot 22, about two miles southwest of Delanti. He married Phebe Rogers of Stockton. Mr. Goodrich died in 1893. "He was prompt and honest in all his dealings with his fellow men." Mrs. Goodrich died in ISSo aged 75. Their children were Betsey Ann, who married John E. Hassett, Milo, married Emily Babcock, Henry R., married Martha Geer, Ellen, mar- ried Henry Q. Ames of Sherman, Alice M., married Levi N. Flint. Corydon Goodrich, the youngest son, was born in Stockton December 15, 1838. In his early life he was engaged as an oil operator, and afterwards was in the U. S. service in the civil war. He returned to Stockton from the west in 1877, and has since resided upon and owned the old homestead and fol- lowed dairying. December 15, 1861, he married Nancy Ann King of Union City, Pa. Their children are Henry C., who married Ida, daughter of Charles Briggs, and Chauncey G., who married Myrtie Woodcock. A son, DeForest, died aged twelve years.

Abner Putman, born in Buckland, Mass., July 28, 1794, was the son of Lient. William Putnam, and a descendant of John Putman, born in England in 1582. He married Vesta Mallory, April 28, 1818, and soon after started with his wife and household goods for the Holland Purchase. He went with an ox team and was six weeks performing the journey, arriving at Stockton June 18, 1818. He settled on Cassadaga creek south of the lake, where he lived until his death, August 27, 1862. Mrs. Putman died May 18, 1872. Their sons were : Elisha, William M., Richmond, Allen, Edwin, Corydon. Allen Putman, son of Abner, was born April 3, 1824. He began teaching when 18 and was successful. About 1850 he purchased the Phillips farm near Cassadaga, upon which he has since resided. June 20, 1849, he married Martha A. Walker. She died July 8, 1859. September 19, 1860, he married Marilla R. Smith. She died April 19, 1866. April 20, 1869, he married Amelia M. Wood. His surviving children are Virginia, Estella, Clayton S. and Clesson A. Edwin Putnam, son of Abner, born in Stockton, March 24, 1828, married Harriet, daughter of Rev. Arah Irons. Mr. and Mrs. Putman are both dead. Their children are William A., (see page 597), and Mary Elvira, who was born February 20, 1857, and October 28, 1880, married

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William H., son of Luther D. Roberts, who lived on Harmon Hill in Pom- fret, and grandson of William S. Roberts, who was born in Binghamton, V't., came to Pomfret in 1815, and assisted in clearing off the park in Fre- donia. He died in Michigan.

Harlow Crissey was born in December, 1802. His grandfather, John Crissey, was born in Massachusetts in 1700 and married Martha Davenport in July, 1731. They had six sons, three of whom came in 1815. Among them was Samuel, the father of Harlow. Samuel, born March 2, 1771, mar- ried Lucy Grosvenor of Fairfax, Vt., and settled on lot 39, north of Delanti, where he resided until his death March 1, 1848. He was one of the founders of the Delanti Baptist church and served it occasionally as a preacher. Har- low Crissey came with his father. He taught school a few years and then became a successful farmer. He has been supervisor and justice of the peace. He married Anna, a daughter of Samuel Shepard. Their children were : 1, Newton, born April 6, 1828, married Cynthia R. Miller, has been a farmer, is now a resident of Jamestown and has been several terms supervisor of Stockton ; 2, Samuel S., married Mary A. Leonard and resides in Fredonia ; 3, Seward M., born April 9, 1839, married Lucy Wood and is a farmer ; 4, Elverton B., born June 23, 1843, married Mary Langworthy and is a banker at Jamestown. Harlow Crissey died in 1892. Mrs. Anna (Shepard) Crissey died in August, 1894. "She had been a member of the Baptist church in Stockton 68 years, always active, gifted and faithful."

LAWYERS .- Lucian C. Warren. (Sec sketch.) C. Frank Chapman was born at Woodstock, Windham county, Conn., February 10, 1851. He received his legal education at the law department of Union University at Albany, and was admitted to the bar at Albany in April, 1876. Upon his return from Albany he and Hon. Obed Edson formed the firin of Edson & Chapman with offices at Sinclairville. . This firm continued two years. Mr. Chapman then practiced in Sinclairville until September, 1891, when he removed to his farm in Stockton, which town he has represented several terms on the board of Supervisors. F. A. Teed is given as a lawyer in the calendar.

SUPERVISORS .- 1821-2, Calvin Warren ; 1823-4-5, Henry Walker; 1826, Calvin Warren ; 1827, W. Ellsworth ; IS2S, Aaron Lyon ; 1829-30, Hiram Lazell ; 1831-2, W. Ellsworth ; 1833, John Grant ; 1834, A. Lyon ; 1835, John Grant ; 1836-7, Calvin Smith ; 1838-9, Chauncey War- ren ; 1840-1, Delos Beebe ; 1842, Philip Lazell ; 1843-4, Thomas Rolph ; 1845, Chauncey War- ren ; 1846, Eleazer Flagg, Jr. : 1847, Chauncey Warren ; 1848-9-50-1-2-2, Milton Smith ; 1854, George. S. Harrison : 1855, Judge L. Bugbee ; 1856, Ebenezer Moon ; 1857-8, W. P. Burdick ; 1859, Judge L. Bugbee ; 1860-1, Philip Lazell ; 1862-3, Merrill Crissey ; 1864-5, Harlow Crissey ; 1866-7, Eliphalet Mitchell ; 1868-9, Chauncey Warren ; 1870-1, Walker Parkhurst ; 1872 3, Joseph E. Batchellor ; 1874-5-6-7-8-9, Lucian C. Warren ; ISSo-I, Charles W. Chapman ; 1882-3, Jay A. Flagg : 1884, Darius G. Pickett ; 1885, P. M. Miller ; 1SS6-7-8-9, Newton Crissey ; 1890, Lucian C. Warren ; 1891, Charles D). Payne ; 1892-3-4, C. Frank Chapman.

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HISTORY OF CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY, N. Y.

VILLENOVA. CHAPTER LXXVI.

By WM. S. BLAISDELL.

V ILLENOVA (new village) is an agricultural town containing 22,826 acres, and was originally the south part of Hanover, from which it was set off January 24, 1823, and it now comprises township 5, range IO. The surface, broken and hilly in the north part, allows the formation of small streams, which, with the outlets of Mud lake and East Mud lake, blend in the waters of the two branches of Conewango creek that unite near the southeast corner. Villenova shares with Arkwright in the possession of Mnd lake, while, near the Hanover line, East Mud lake is all within this town. The highest summit attains an altitude of 1,400 feet above tide water. The land is well adapted to dairying. Large quantities of apples were raised. In the southern part the land is rolling, and the soil throughout the town is a clay and gravelly loam. The assessed valuation of real and per- sonal property in 1893 was $446,360, with a total tax of $3,955.46. The waters of the streams has in past years furnished power for several pioneer grist and sawmills. The population has maintained more steadiness than most farming towns away from railroad lines during the many changes of the last 60 years, being in 1835, 1,453 ; 1845, 1,531 ; 1855, 1,413 ; 1865, 1,505 ; 1875, 1.438 ; ISSO, 1,446; 1892, 1,182.

The settlement was commenced early and by settlers who imparted a healthy tone to the character of the town, and whose influence has been strongly felt for good down to the present. They were Christian people, exemplary and conscientious, of good New England stock. John Kent, a native of Royalton, Vt., came from Cortland county, and purchased lands in 1809 and aided Daniel Whipple to secure his location. Mr. Kent remained, and in the spring of IS10 Daniel Whipple, John and Eli Arnold, natives of Great Barrington, Mass., brought their families. Kent settled on lot 2, Whipple on lot 3, Arnold on lot 19. William and Benjamin Barrows and Roderick Wells came in ISHI. Near the same time came Charles Mather, Captain Sweet and Nathaniel Bowen. Bowen went as a soldier in the war of 1812, and was killed in the battle of Buffalo in 1813. Ezra Puffer came in 1812 from Sudbury, Mass. He was a man of some culture, a lover of books, and a practical surveyor. He laid ont most of the roads, run out

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many of the lines, was the first justice of the peace and drew most of the legal papers in the town for years. After over 30 years residence here he moved to Indiana. Villeroy Balcom, also from Sudbury, Mass., and Ezra Corbett from Mendon, Mass., came in 1815. William Pierce came in 1815 and set- tled on lot 19. Eldad Corbett, Jr., settled on lot 11 in June, 1815. Charles Wright came in 1816. He came from Herkimer county. He had four brothers, two of whom, Augustin and Lewis, settled respectively on lots 52 and 20 in 1817, and two, Daniel and Sylvanus, settled in 1818 on lot 20. All of the Wrights save Lewis have descendants in the county. The busi- ness center later called Villenova, was formed at the crossing of the roads on lot 19 near the line of lot 20, and took the name of Wright's corners, and was quite a place of trade. The first store was established here in 1828 by Grover & Norris, and the first inn in 1829 by V. Balcom. Balcom was the first postmaster, also justice and supervisor.

Other early settlers were : James Congdon on lot 44, in IS17 with sons Amos, Ichabod, Lewis; Auren G. Smith and brother came in 1819, bought lot 43 and first developed the power at Hamlet, building a sawmill there, later known as Orton's mills ; P. T. Judd on lot 27; Asahiel Hills located first on lot 52, later on 36 ; John Spencer on lot 43 ; Allen L. Brunson came in 1838 from Cherry Creek. He was constable for 23 years; Jesse Goldth- wait settled on lot 4; Gamaliel Collins, for many years a justice, settled on lot 22 ; Alexander Gillett was early on lot 16; George Wilson, a wagon- maker, settled at Hamlet early. He was "justice " many years ; John Flu- ker settled on lot 5; Noah Strong bought lot 64 in 1822 and made it his home for life ; Samuel Geer early settled on lot 48, which he bought in 1825 ; Jolin Stillwell settled on lot 63 in 1827 ; Jolin Pope early on lot 56; John Ferry on lot 54 ; Isaac Covey, and sons Hoel, Dr. Medad S., Henry and George settled early on lot 53; John Hamlin on lot 38, O. S. Harmon also on 38, Daniel Ball also on lot 38.

John Eastinan settled on lot 39, William Burke on lot 31, David Crowell on lot 36. The Crowells were a numerous family. Solomon and Abraham, brothers of David, also lived in the center of the town. Isaac and Joseph Cummings settled on lot 37. Benjamin Vincent, a blacksmith, settled early in the south part of the town. Mark Markham settled on lot 25, and John Den- nison on the same lot. George B. Aldrich settled first on lot 51, afterwards on lot 25. William J. Straight settled on lot 58 in 1822 and died there in 1893. Thomas Howard settled on lot 50, bought in December, IS2S. Dan- iel Ruttenbur was early on lot 41. James Cook settled about 1830 on lot 19, bought by Ezra Puffer in 1809. Paul Cushman was early on lot 18, and Isaac Phillips on lot 41.

In 1828 the Holland Land Company sold all the lands then held by it in ranges 10 and II, and in township 1, range 12 (excepting the town of Gerry)

- -

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to the Cherry Valley Company, composed of James O. Morse, Levi Beardsley, and Alvin Stewart. 5,246 acres were in Villenova. John and John P. Kent, and Jolin Dighton cut a road through the virgin forest from Kent's mill, Villenova, to Kennedyville through Cherry Creek on contract for the Holland Land Company. They were paid ten dollars a mile. The road followed the Indian trail down the Conewango. The Kents also cut a road from Kent's mill southwest to Sinclairville soon after 1812. Gardner Crandall and Isaac Curtis settled on this road in 1816. The first birth was that of Electa, daughter of Daniel Whipple, May 5, 1812. The first marriage was James Maffitt to Mary Dighton. The first school was taught by a Mrs. Battles in 1815 in her dwelling near Wright's Corners. Hamlet, on the west branch of Conewango creek, is the principal business center, and has been for 40 years. In 1870 it contained 2 churches, a hotel, four stores, a cheese factory, a saw- mill, blacksmith, wagon and shoe shops. The first store was kept by Daniel Cross and Asahel Goodyear. The first mill here was built by Auren G. and Nathaniel Smith, and a gristmill was commenced by Stephen Landers and completed by Crowell & Shephard. Kent's mill in early days was said to be the head of navigation of the Conewango. Its busy days are long since over. The mill has gone and " a rural quiet fill's the air." Nathan Worden built a sawmill a mile and a half from Hamlet, and for many years a sawmill and gristmill have been operated there, Eri M. Sanderson and son, Horace, being the latest proprietors.

Nathaniel Warner, a native of Connecticut, was born July 4, 1767, and was married July 4, 1790, to Lucinda Avery, who was born in November, 1771, in Stonington. They removed from Litchfield, Herkimer county, N. Y., to Villenova with their family, and settled on lot 35, near Hamlet, bought in 1820, where he resided until his death in 1847. Their children were : Reuben, Judalı, who settled on lot 44, where he died August 3, 1832, Oba- diah, Dema, Nathaniel, Jr., Jeremiah, Abigail, Lucinda, Reuben. Obadiah Warner was born in Litchfield, N. Y., May 19, 1795, and married February 6, 1821, Rebecca Num, who was born April 13, 1799, at Stonington, Com. He removed to this town in 1822, and resided at Hamlet. His children were : Harriet, George, Mariett, Charles O., Jerome, Lucinda, Samuel N., Lura A., Polly, Polly A. Among the numerous descendants of the worthy pioneer, Nathaniel Warner, is George W. Warner, a farmer at Hamlet.

Austin Pierce, a native of Vermont, removed with his father in 1810 to Pitcher, Chenango county, N. Y., where he studied medicine with Dr. David McWhorter, attended lectures at Fairfield, N. Y., and was licensed as a phy- sician by the Herkimer County Medical Society in 1829. He located the same year in Villenova, where he remained until his death.

John Dye, from Chenango county, made his home in Villenova when it was a small settlement. He located on lot 20 ; here he built his dwelling,

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cleared and cultivated his land. He was married twice and had a family of fourteen sons and four daughters. He resided here until his death, and left numerous descendants in the town and county. His sons were John, Avery, Asa, Harry, George, Elias, Daniel, Ledyard, Joseph, Lafayette, Abel, Thomas, A. Jackson and Elisha. A. Jackson Dye married Hulda Wright. Their children were Nancy, Glen, Edward, Alice and Nelson. Mr. Dye is a farmer at Villenova.

Elisha Searl, a native of Massachusetts, came from Madison county to Villenova in 1832, and located on lot 22 where he died in 1852. His chil- dren were Nelson, Wellington, who settled on lot 23, Nathan, Frederick, Tyler H., Alvira (Mrs. Benjamin Vincent) and Emeline (Mrs. Chauncey R. Smitlı). Tyler H. Searl, a lifelong farmer on the old homestead, was born in Massachusetts in 1822. He has been prominent in town affairs, having been superintendent of schools, supervisor of his town for many years, and held other offices. He married Jane Ostrom. His son, William E., adopted merchandising as his business, and Fred E. followed the vocation of his father and grandfather.

CHURCHES .- Methodism. In 1810 ten members forming an entire class consisting of the families of John Kent, Jolin Arnold and Eli Arnold settled at Villenova. Jolin and Eli Arnold were local preachers of this denomina- tion. The same year they sent a delegate to the Genesee conference, then holding its session in a barn at Lyons, asking for preaching. Three preach- ers were sent, " Billy " Brown was one. He was a peculiar man, remarkable for his great faith, and gift in prayer, and his fancy for odd passages in Scrip- ture. There is no authentic account of his labors. Elijah Metcalf, another, had no defined territory, or did not keep to its lines, preaching as far away as Warren, Pa. From this time Methodism had a home in Villenova. John Arnold's wife died in 1813, and he joined the Genesee conference and devoted his life to the ministry. Eli Arnold was a local preacher for over 60 years, and " was highly esteemed for his exemplary Christian life." Roderick Wells, another early settler, was noted for his piety and Christian zeal. Nearly all of the pioneers of the town were Christians, and held religious meetings in private houses, generally at Daniel Whipple's. In 1812 the Methodists formed the first church here.

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History of Chautauqua County, New York, Part 107

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