History of Clinton and Franklin Counties, New York : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 109

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) 1n; Lewis, J.W., & Co., Philadelphia
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Philadelphia : J. W. Lewis & co.
Number of Pages: 922

USA > New York > Clinton County > History of Clinton and Franklin Counties, New York : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 109
USA > New York > Franklin County > History of Clinton and Franklin Counties, New York : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 109

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

" Everything being taken into aeeount, it is believed that no other place offers equal advantages for the manufacture of iron. " Oet. 28, 1828. "The subseribers, under the style and firm of 'The Franklin County Iron Company,' offer for sale IRON ORE at $3 per ton, at their ore- bed, about three miles west of the village of Malone.

" Bildad Orcutt is the agent of the company, to wbom all appli- eations are to be made in the premises.

" MOSES EGGLESTON, S. C. HOLLENBAEK, " BILDAD ORCUTT, Z. CURTIS,

" JOHN WOOD, SAMUEL DUNNING,

" HARRY ORCUTT, GUY MEIGS, " A. M. HITCHCOCK."

In the same issue is a communication dated " Saratoga Spring, Aug. 2," wherein it is stated that " above one thou- sand strangers partook of the waters of the Congress Spring on Sunday morning last," and " that the cotillion- parties are alternate at the Pavilion and Congress Hall, and it is believed that the country never witnessed an as- semblage of more refinement or a greater display of taste and elegance."

Notiec is also given under date of " Fort Covington, Sept. 4, 1820," that the " commission under the aet for opening a road through the St. Regis Reservation will convene at the Tavern of Lemuel Warren, at Fort Covington, on the 16th inst."

In the issue of Nov. 16, 1820, appears the following modest notice :

"LOOK OUT FOR UNCLE BEN, THE BUTCHER !!

" All persons indebted to the subseriber are bereby notified that unless they call and settle, and make some great caleulations about paying him on or before the first day of January next, they may de- pend upon having tormentor's fees to pay, as I will pay them no longer.

" The subseriber flatters himself that he shall get enough by that time to pay for this advertisement; and if he should fail he will be in a horrible pickle.

" LORENZO MEIGS.

" MALONE, Nov. 15, 1820."

In the same issue Wead & Lathrop advertise " that they have rebuilt their distillery," and that " they will ex- change Whiskey for grain, &c."

In the issue of May 27, 1824, there is a notice of the Malone Debating Society, and the question was, " Is beanty in the female sex more admired than modesty ?" Dispu-

tants, Messrs. Wood, Wead, R. Powell, and Williams; A. Haskell, president.

In the second number of the Franklin Telegraph, which was issued in this village Sept. 7, 1820, Owen Moses ad- vertises the " Gold and Silver Smith's Business" in the village of Malone, "a few rods west of the Court-House." He further states that "those wishing to purchase silver spoons, gold beeds, brass elocks, or surveyor's compasses, will do well to call."

Samuel Peek notifies the people that he has a quantity of the " best soal leather which he will sell for 30 cts. per pound by the side." Peek & Clark advertise the harness- making business, and Anslem Lincoln boots and shoes.

In the same issue Harry Horton gives notice that he has " discontinued trade in this place, and requests those who have notes or accounts due to call on Hiram Horton, Jr., and settle them immediately."

Jonathan Stearns announces that he has 100 barrels of salt for sale, and John Learned that he has gone into the blacksmithing business.

POST-OFFICE NOTICE.

In 1820, Almon Wheeler was postmaster, and he adver- tises the following

" LIST OF LETTERS

" Remaining in the Post -Office at Malone 30 Sept. 1820: Mary An- drus, Henry Barlow, Josbua Barnes, Frederick Barnard, Malone; Oliver W. Bowen, Moira; Sally Barry, Francis Burnap, Solomon Browne, James Barber, Pat. Burman, Malone; Asher Buckland, John Crandall, Moira; Horace Chatam, Joel Cornish, Malone; Geo. Claghorn, Franklin ; Abial Cornish, Daniel Dale, Bangor; Daniel Dale, Elizabeth Fowler, Silas Farnsworth, Moira; Daniel S. Fleteher, Samuel Field, Stephen Grabam, Harry S. House, Stephen Harley, Malone; Joel Horford, Moira; John B. Jackson, Franklin County ; John L. Joiner, Moira; Price F. Kellog, Franklin County ; Lot Lincoln, Lorenzo Meigs, Chas. Moses, Malone; Noah Moody, Bangor; John II. Russell, Malone; Jonathan Rice, Diekinson ; Jonathan Stearns, Malone; Uriah Smith and Suze Smith, Ebenezer Sexton, Bangor; Mowry Sayles, Simeon Smith, Solomon Sayles, Moira; Betsey Speneer, Diekinson ; Mary Swan, Malone; Wm. Thompson, Diekinson ; Erastus Traey, Pamelia A. Thurston, Malone; Newell Upham, Harrison ; Oli- ver Webb, Jobn Wood, Mr. Watkins, Maria Wood, Matilda Wheeler, Sully Wheeler, J. A. Woodward, James B. Wood, Elias Watkins, Ma- loue; Eleazer Wakefield, Moira; Asa Worth, Bangor.

"N. B .- Persons calling for any of the above-mentioned letters will please to say they are advertised.

"The eastern and southern mail will hereafter be elosed by half- past 8 o'clock Sabbath evening,-all letters designed for the east or south must be in the box by 6 o'eloek r.M.

" ALMON WHEELER, P.M.

"MALONE, 30 Sept. 1820."

WAR OF 1812.

Malone, located near the frontier, suffered severely during the war of 1812.

After the battle of Chrysler's Farm, Gen. Wilkinson, who was ill, together with the sick and wounded soldiers, were taken to French's Mills, Fort Covington, and from there was, with as much dispatch as possible, taken to the Malone hospital. Wilkinson was carried on a horse-litter, and taken to the house of F. L. Harrison, where he remained during the winter, and gradually recovered his health. The premises were surrounded by his personal guard, great fear being entertained that he would be surprised and taken prisoner. His guard ocenpied a log house in the

404

HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY, NEW YORK.

rear. McPherson and Bell, two of Gen. Wilkinson's officers, boarded at the Rev. Ashbel Parmelee's, opposite the Harrison house.

Foot's Tavern, the old academy, the arsenal, the old guard-house, the old distillery, and other houses, were used for the hospital buildings.

The battle occurred Oct. 10, 1813, and within a few weeks Malone was filled with the sick and dying of the army .*

The public stores began to come in for the relief of the troops, and Harrison's barn, sheds, etc., were stored with flour, crackers, etc.

In February, 1814, Gen. Wilkinson and his troops sud- denly left Malone, leaving the government stores behind. The British, soon learning that the place was left without defense, and that a quantity of valuable provision was stored in the village, made a descent on the town with 1200 regulars and 400 Canadian militia.

When the enemy approached the village the people were in great consternation ; no soldiers to protect them, teams pressed into the service of the enemy to carry off the stores of war left by the Americans; no arms with which to defend themselves ; and hearing all sorts of frightful rumors of the intention of the British and Indians, they knew not which way to turn.

Col. Scott, the British commander, seems to have acted like a gentleman, and gave orders that private property should not be molested. This order was obeyed so far as the regulars were concerned, but the militia came a few days later and took everything within their reach, public and private.

Dr. Franklin B. Hough, in his history of St. Lawrence and Franklin Counties, in speaking of this affair, says, " On Sunday morning several of the Indians and militia commenced demolishing the arsenal, which had been left without arms by the Americans on leaving the place. The windows and gratings were torn out, and it was fired, but Col. Scott, upon the carnest appeals of some of the more influential of the citizens, who represented the barbarity of this wanton destruction, issued orders for its preservation, and posted a guard around it for protection. He then convened some of the inhabitants and gave them the build- ing for educational purposes. For this act of lenity he is said to have been censured by his government.

" A part of Sunday was spent in ransacking the town, in forwarding the stores they had seized, using the teams they had pressed for that purpose, and at noon they started on their return by way of Chateaugay, losing great numbers by desertion. Private property, except arms, was generally respected. Col. Scott, it is said, nearly lost his life from a drunken Indian, who reeled up to him, cursed him for not allowing them to plunder, and aimed his loaded gun for firing, but was instantly seized, rudely bound, and taken off.

" An amusing case of smuggling occurred on this occa- sion. Jehiel Barnum, a Revolutionary gunsmith, living in Bangor, had been pressed with others, and sent off with a load of stores and in charge of two soldiers, for French's Mills. His team was young and restive, and gave him

much trouble in keeping them from interfering with the sleighs before him, to avoid which he got permission to turn off on a by-road, which he said would take them out right, and after going several miles he drove up to his own door. His passengers here first discovered their dilemma, and he without difficulty persuaded them to remain, while the cargo was found very convenient in supporting the family."

PETITION FOR PROTECTION.

March 25, 1814, the citizens of Franklin County held a meeting at Malone, and united in a petition praying the Legislature for protection against the savages and insults of the enemy. The following is a copy of the petition :

"We, the subscribers, heing chairman and secretary of a general meeting of the inhabitants of Franklin County, do respectfully rep- resent :

" That we are peculiarly and dangerously situated, and, as freemen of this State and citizens of our common country, ready to shed our blood in its defense, we ask for protection. Like our hrethren of the Niagara frontier, many of our good citizens have experienced the spoliation of their goods, clothing, and provisions, the locks of our desks and trunks have heen broken, and books sacred and profanc, valuable papers, and money, have been taken from them. We have escaped massacre and conflagration, hut we have witnessed that who- ever ran was stopped by the force of powder and lead, and whoever submitted was under the humiliating and mortifying situation of heing an eye-witness to the spoliation of his goods. But this whole country is exposed to daily depredations. The barharous savage may be prowling ahout our dwellings, and, in our weak state of defense, we must tamely submit to every insult and injury. The father expe- riences, with tenfold increase, the anxious solicitude of a parent and a hushand. The mother hugs her infant closer to her hreast, contem- plating with fear and horror the danger that confronts her.

" The God of mercy only knows how soon the father may fall a victim to the hrutal inhumanity of an enemy, in defending the land, the home of his affection ; how soon the infant may be torn from the arms of its mother, and sacrificed to the sanguinary notions of a hrutal foe; and how soon the house that shelters them from the stormy tempest may be laid in ashes, and not a vestige of hushaudry or cultivation be left to mark the residence of man.

" Why have these calamities happened ? Has it been the produc- tion of Governor Hampton's letters to the Secretary of War, degrading the frontier settlements, as almost improper subjects of protection, that the army should be ordered from their strong positions in this county to the villages of Plattsburgh and Sackett's Harhor? These are strange movements, at a great sacrifice of public property, which we are unable to account for.

" But our situation is too dangerous and degrading for us as Amer- ican citizens to have patience to sit peacahle under, and yet to flee our residences would but complete the ruin which is already hegun.

" We do further represent that our enemies are continually drawing supplies of provisions from our frontiers, and the majesty of the civil law is trampled under foot, and the arm of the magistrate is put forth with little or no effect.

" Our jail has been opened hy our enemies, and prisoners set at liberty, and our military force is wholly iusufficient to render us secure."

THE ARSENAL.

An arsenal was built in this village in 1812, and was located in the east part of the arsenal park, near the present residence of Hon. William A. Wheeler. It was a two- story stone building.

Under act of April 19, 1850, " the commissary-general was authorized to sell the several arsenals in certain coun- ties, and Jan. 27, 1851, it was enacted that when the ar- senal and lot in the village of Malonc should be sold the proceeds, after deducting $200, should be applied to the improvement of a certain piece of ground belonging to the

# Feb. 1, 1814, there were 450 siek in the hospital at this place.

Calvino Shinna

RESIDENCE OF CALVIN SKINNER, M. D., ELM ST., MALONE, NEW YORK .

405

TOWN OF MALONE.

State, situated in the village, known as the arsenal green and parade-ground. The treasurer was directed to pay, on the warrant of the comptroller, to Guy Meigs, Samuel C. Wead, and Hugh Magill the above sum to be expended for these improvements. The grounds were to be graded, fenced, planted with trees, and laid out into walks so far as might be without injuring the premises for purposes of military parades. These grounds were never to be sold for private purposes without an aet of the Legislature. An ap- propriation was also made for enclosing and improving the grounds around the academy in the western part of the village. Accordingly, the arsenal green has been neatly and tastefully eneloscd, and a row of shade-trees planted around its border. This beautiful park is crossed by the Northern Railroad, which here required a deep cutting, but the two sides have been united by a foot-bridge, and the premises are little marred by this work." Thus wrote Dr. Hough in 1852. Both parks have been nicely improved, and we doubt if there is a village in the Empire State that can boast of more pleasant or attractive public parks.

CHAPTER LXXVI.

MALONE-(Continued).

Ecclesiastical History-The First Presbyterian Church-The Meth- odist. Episcopal Church-St. Mark's Episcopal Church-The First Baptist Church-The Universalist Church-The Roman Catholic Churches.

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH .*

THIS church was organized in the spring of 1807, at the hotel of Abijah Abbott, which stood on a part of the site now occupied by the Ferguson House, Malone. Rev. Amos Pettengell, of Champlain, and Rev. Ebenezer Hibbard, of Brandon, Vt., officiated on the occasion.

The original members numbered 26 (12 males and 14 fe- males), whose names are as follows : Nath. Blanchard, John Barnes, Silas Johnson, Isaac Parker, David Sperry, Lyman Sperry, Samuel Andrews, Abijah Abbott, Samuel Blodgett, Abijah Stowers, Amos Brownson, Eben Titus, Charlotte Johnson, Mercy Blanchard, Hepsebah Barnes, Anna Parker, Rebecca Sperry, Polly Sperry, Polly Stowers, Sarah Brownson, Rebecca Keeler, Berzillia Blanchard, Tarumy Purdy, Asenath Wood, Lovina Blanchard, and Rebecca Parker. The last of thesc (Mrs. Barnes) died July 9, 1867.

The first Trustees were Hiram Horton, Sr., Abijah Ab- bott, and Silas Johnson ; the first Deacons, John Barnes and Abijah Abbott ; the first Moderator, Silas Johnson; the first Clerk, Nath. Blanchard ; the first Chorister, Leonard Conant.

The first entry in the church records is May 10, 1807. A pretty full record has been kept from that day to the present.

On the 7th of July, 1808, II. S. House had two children, and Abijah Abbott one child, baptized. These were the first infant baptisms.

Among these names of the carly members of this society

will be easily recognized some who have left their impress on the town of Malone, in its various industries, and whose sons and grandsons, as merchants, farmers, and business men, still hold rank in our midst, in this and other churches.

They were New Englanders, who were induced to emi- grate to, and settle in this new region, by the encourage- ment and offers of Richard Harrison, of New York, to whom this township (No. 6) had fallen in the allotment among the proprietors of Great Tract No. 1, of the Macomb purchase, in 1804. And they brought with them the energy and per- severance that, in after-years of toil, secured comfortable pecuniary circumstances to some and thrift to others.

The county of Franklin was formed from a part of Clin- ton County by act of the Legislature, March 11, 1808. The First Congregational Church of Malone was the first reli- gious body organized in the territory now embraced in Frank- lin County, and it afterwards built the first church edifice erected in the same county.

For two years after the organization public worship was held in private families ; after that, till the fall of 1827, generally in the academy or court-house.

From 1807 to 1809, Rev. Mr. Robbins preached three months; Rev. Holland Weeks, ten Sabbaths ; Rev. Simeon Parmelee, three months. The last-named gentleman had an invitation to be settled, but declined it. Occasionally the services of other clergymen were procured.

Early in October, 1809, on invitation by a committee from the church, Rev. Ashbel Parmelee eanie to Malone. He was then twenty-five years old. IIe had been licensed to preach at Granville, N. Y., Sept. 29, 1808, and from that date to his eoming to Malone he had preached in Cam- bridge and Hinesburgh, Vt.

On the 20th of December, 1809, by a vote of the church and society, Rev. Ashbel Parmelee was presented with a call for settlement as pastor, signed by Hiram Horton, Nath. Blanchard, John Barnes, E. Brownson, Asa Wheeler, David Jones, " Committee from the Church and Society." This call was accepted.

A Congregational Ecclesiastical Couneil met at the house of A. Foot, in Malone, Feb. 7, 1810, when Mr. Parmelee was ordained, and the next day installed at the old academy, by the same couneil. The members of it werc Revs. Sam- uel Haynes, S. Parmelee, C. Cooke, and Rufus Deland, a lay delegate,-all from Vermont, and Rev. Martin Powell, of Mooers, N. Y.

Mr. Parmelee remained as pastor for thirty-six years. In another part of this volume will be found a biographieal sketch of him, which gives some details of his work and services during that period.

From small beginnings the church struggled on. During the tempestuous times of the war of 1812-15 it kept up its regular meetings, at which the officers and soldiers of Gen. Wilkinson's army, then quartered here, often made part of the audience.

In the years 1816 and '17 large additions were made to the church from both the old and young.

In 1817 this church, although otherwise retaining its Congregational organization, connected itself with the Pres- bytery of Champlain and the Synod of Albany, with whose Presbyterian councils it is still in full alliance and

# By A. B. Parmelee.

406

HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY, NEW YORK.

fellowship. The first session of that Presbytery, held in Malone, was Feb. 2, 1820. The pastor, ex officio, and a lay delegate represent the church in the Presbytery. On several occasions its pastor has been the delegate to the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church. While that body was divided, from 1838 to the reunion of 1869, at Pittsburgh, between what was called the " Old School" and the " New School," the Malone Church adhered to the latter organization.

In December of the same year a sum was raised on the grand list " to constitute a fund for the relief of the poor, to be deposited with the deacons of the church, to be appro- priated at their discretion."

In February, 1819, the Franklin County Bible Society was formed, in which this church and its pastor took an active part. The latter delivered the address at the annual meeting in January, 1821, held in this village.

On the 2d of November, 1822, the question arose as to the expediency of building a church. Hiram Horton, Silas Johnson, Jonathan Stearns, and Noah Moody were ap- pointed a committee to call a public meeting for that pur- pose in the Franklin Telegraph. For the time being the project was abandoned.

During the same year provision was made by the church " for supplying indigent persons with shoes and other arti- cles, to enable them to attend divine worship."

Under the entry of March 14, 1823, we find the subject of foreign missionary work brought up, and a vote was passed to take up a collection for the American Board of Foreign Missions. Previously (February, 1820), at a meeting of Champlain Presbytery, at Malone, " The North- ern Missionary Society" was organized, with the co-opera- tion of this church, its pastor being the secretary, and one of its members (H. S. Waterhouse) treasurer. This seems to have been subsequently merged in the National Associa- tion.

At the same mecting of March 14, 1823, the Home Mis- sionary cause was considered in a movement to raise funds for aiding one of the young members to procure an cduca- tion for the gospel ministry.

In the proceedings of one week later, we find the first allusion to Sunday-schools. A committee was appointed " to devise ways and means for the purchase of books to dis- tribute among our youth and children who shall be invited to attend Sabbath-schools."

Jan. 18, 1825, Jacob Wead, Jonathan Stearns, H. S. Waterhouse, and Enos Wood were appointed a committee to confer with a committee from the Baptist Church and society, relative to the portion of time each society shall occupy the court-house for public worship. No religious society here then had a building of its own, and the court- house furnishing the most ample accommodations of any other, was occupied by the different bodies by arrangement between them. The committee on this occasion do not seem to have agreed, and the sheriff (John Mitchell), who had the legal custody of the court-house, settled the matter for them by giving to the Congregationalists the use one- half the time, the Baptists one-quarter, and the Methodists onc-quarter.

Feb. 4, 1825, a public meeting was called in the Frank-

lin Telegraph, by Harry S. House, clerk, to take into eon- sideration the building of a Congregational meeting-house. The meeting was held, and by a sale of the pews the needed amount wanted, $700, was subscribed. In the March fol- lowing, at another public gathering called by a similar notice, the balance was raised.

Under these auspices, in 1826, the Congregational society commenced, and in the fall of 1827 completed, a stone church edifice, 60 by 80 fect, on Main Street, on the east side of the river.

The corner-stone was laid with Masonic honors in the afternoon of May 30, 1826. The address was delivered by the pastor in the open air, close by the foundation walls, to a large assembly, whom interest and curiosity drew together to witness so novel a proceeding. We copy a few extracts from the address. Having spoken of the ceremonies around the Jewish tabernacle, and of the incidents attending the erection of Solomon's temple, etc., it says,-

" From the Scriptural facts just alluded to, Christians in all countries have considered themselves authorized, when about to erect a house of worship, of whatever materials, to commemorate their labors with some kind of religious ceremonies. Indeed, the nature of the service demands it. Under the smiles of Jehovah, we have the inclination and the opportunity now of meeting for a similar purpose.

" Before our eyes are materials for a church,-a house to be exclusively devoted to the rational and social worship of Almighty God. With gratitude and rapture we hail this auspicious moment ! . . .

" Our children and children's children for a great while to come may mect in this sanctuary to praise the Lord. Here many a herald of the cross may yet stand when you and I have gone to judgment, and ably preach that gospel which may prove the salvation of thousands yet unborn. Here scenes of mercy and glory may yet be exhibited, which shall be joyfully told in distant lands, nay, fill heaven with wonder and joy.

" With these prospects before us, suffer me to give a word of exhortation from the fountain of truth. Praise ye the Lord ! both young men and maidens, old men and children. Let them praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is excellent ; his glory is above the earth and heaven !"

It cannot be doubted that the members were as much elated as the pastor in their look forward to the comple- tion of the church.

The corner-stone was placed in the northeast corner of the building, and the Masonic ceremonies fitted to the oc- casion were performed. Carved in the stone was a recep- tacle, in which were deposited the newspapers of the day and also a lead plate with the following inscription :

" Laid by Northern Constellation Lodge, No. 148, Malone, May 30, A.L. 5826, A.D. 1826; Ind. U. S. A. 50th; Clark Williamson, M .; Stephen Van Rensselaer, G. M. S. N. Y. ; De Witt Clinton, Governor S. N. Y .; John Q. Adams, Prest. U. S .; Rev. Ashbel Parmelee, Pas- tor Congregational Society; Orin Moses, Sculptor."

The house was not formally dedicated until Feb. 7, 1828, when Rev. O. P. Hoyt, of Potsdam, preached the dedica- tion sermon.

Under date of Nov. 9, 1827, we find the first reference

PHOTO. BY,

JEHIAL BERRY.

was born April 20, 1803, in Kent, Litchfield Co., Conn. His father was Ebenezer Berry, of Litchfield Co., Conn. His mother was Demis Fuller, of the same place.

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History of Clinton and Franklin Counties, New York : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 109

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) 1n; Lewis, J.W., & Co., Philadelphia Publication date: 1880 Publisher: Philadelphia : J. W. Lewis & co. Number of Pages: 922

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) 1n; Lewis, J.W., & Co., Philadelphia
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Philadelphia : J. W. Lewis & co.
Number of Pages: 922