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 92
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 92
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The first settler at what was formerly called Bartonville, on the Little Ausable River, and now known as Lapham's Mills, was Simon Eells. The tract was included in the Bell Patent, and it is reported that on one occasion the pro- prietor, William Bell, while looking over his land discovered that some one had been cutting timber on various parts of his 4000-acre lot, whereupon he began to make inquiries among the early settlers of Peru with the view of discover- ing the offenders and bringing them to justice. He called upon several persons who lived near the outskirts of his big forest tract, but the only information he could elicit from the honest pioneers was that " Uncle Sim Eelles was the only man who had trespassed upon the forbidden ground."
At last Bell, worried by his unsuccessful search after more of the pilferers, lost all patience, and recognizing Eells to be the only working man in the locality by his successful raid upon his timber, presented him with a 100-acre lot as a reward for his industry.
Uncle Sim's lot, on which he soon erected a log hut, was about half a mile southeast of the railroad bridge, and his industrious habits formed such a striking feature of his character that the old inhabitants still remember how he . used to amuse himself by moving his garden-fence one day and back the next, when he could find nothing else to do.
He built the first saw-mill at this point about the year 1810, the dam of which was very near where the railroad bridge now is. Subsequently another saw-mill was built about one hundred rods above the first, and afterwards several other saw-mills were built below, which did their full share in cutting up the magnificent growth of pine that formerly covered that part of the town. There is hardly a vestige of these first mills left now, except a few " mudsills" that formed the foundation of the dams or mill buildings.
Mention can only be made of a few of the other early settlers of the town.
Abijah Ketchum, father of Benjamin, lived carly near the lake.
Isaac Finch lived in the same locality. Robert Platt owned 700 acres on the lake-shore, and was influential in building the Methodist church in that locality.
Simeon Frisbec lived near Platt. Also James Finch, Daniel Chapman, Ebenezer, Isaac, and William . Baker, and Uriah Palmer,
At the Union lived Rufus Green, where George Beadle- stone now does. John, Lott, and Asa Ellmore, A. Hinck- ley, George Berdsley, and Russell Ransom lived along the " lake road."
Jabez Allen, Isaac Allen, and Peter Allen settled very early in the Allen neighborhood, where their descendants still reside.
Moses Dickson lived near the mouth of the Great Ausable River at an early day.
John Howe lived and died on Thorp's Patent, in the Peasleville locality.
Uriah Waterman and the four Arthur brothers settled about half-way between Peru village and Kceseville. A tavern was kept there for a time by A. Allen. Joel Buck had an inn near by.
Solomon Moon lived early near Goshen.
Joshua Wells lived early at Birmingham, in the town of Ausable.
Robert Day lived on the fordway between Keeseville and the Forks. Jeremiah and Elihu Hayes lived near by.
Benjamin Earls lived a little south of Peru village, and taught school at an early day at the Union.
John Cochran, Jr., John Dobbs, Israel Reynolds, and William Pollard lived early about three miles northeast from Peru village.
Moses Soper was a very early settler about a mile south of Peru village. He then moved to Salmon River, where he erccted a mill. He subsequently died there.
Israel Buck lived near where Moses Soper first settled.
co
PHOTO. BY HOWARD & C
STEPHEN K. SMITH.
is a descendant of one of three young men who, early in the seventeenth century, in England, pledged their lives, their for- tunes, and their sacred honor to stand by one another when in the new country of America to which they were about to emi- grate.
From another of these young men descended the late Lord John Russell, of England. The name of the third young man is not known.
Stephen K. Smith traces his descent from Samuel and Elsie (Anthony) Smith, who settled in New England in the old town of Dartmouth.
Their children were Abigail, Samuel, Sarah, Jerry, David, Mary, and Benjamin.
Benjamin Smith was married to Elizabeth Kees in 1808, in the Friends' meeting-house, in " The Union," in the town of Peru, Clinton Co., N. Y., and was the first ceremony of the kind performed in that building. Their children, eight in num- ber, were named Mary, Stephen K., Ruth, Samuel, Thomas, Eliza, Hannah, and Benjamin F.
Stephen K. Smith was born April 10, 1806, in the town of Peru, Clinton Co., N. Y.
His father was a farmer, to which occupation Stephen grew up, assisting in the labors of the farm.
His father meeting financial disaster about the time Stephen reached his majority, and being much prostrated by the blow, Stephen assumed charge of affairs ; and by his wise course and industry not only "kept the pot boiling," as he tersely ex- pressed it, but succeeded in raising a heavy incumbrance on the
farm, placed there through his father's misfortune; his eldest sister materially helping him by teaching a select school in a room in their home, which Stephen fitted up for that pur- pose.
This school acquired a reputation for thoroughness, during the twelve winters it was kept, not only throughout that portion of the State of New York, but which extended to the State of Vermont, whence many pupils came to attend the school and who boarded with the teacher. At first only English branches were taught by Miss Smith, who had been educated at the Friends' free school in Dutchess County ; afterwards a professor was engaged, and the higher branches, with the classics, were added to the curriculum,
At the age of thirty-three Stephen was married to Jane Kees, fourth daughter of Oliver Kees, of Peru, N. Y. They had five children,-Samuel, Juliet, Oliver K., Elizabeth, Elihu Burritt.
Buying a farm adjoining the old homestead, thither Stephen repaired soon after his marriage, and devoted himself to tilling the soil.
Mr. Smith, keenly alive to the great wrong of slavery, early enrolled himself with the Abolitionists, rendering the cause most efficient aid by his pen and contributions of money.
A " Historical Sketch," from the pen of Mr. Smith, of the settlement of Peru, his native town, published in the Plattsburgh Sentinel, finds a place in this work.
Stephen K. Smith now lives on a farm about three miles from the place of his birth, and, at the age of seventy-three, is in the enjoyment of perfect health, physical and mental.
RESIDENCE OF S. K . SMITH, PERU, CLINTON COUNTY, N. Y.
343
TOWN OF PERU.
Robert and William Anson settled early in what is now the town of Ausable.
The Southwick family lived very early on Halleck Hill, and had a tannery there.
Among other early settlers were John Howe, Isaac Finch, Abijah Ketchum, Ezekiel Lockwood, Samuel Jackson, Cyrenus Newcomb, George Hayworth, Benjamin Sherman, and Silas and Robert Cochran.
The following list of the inhabitants of the original town of Peru is taken from the records of that town. It was made on May 2, 1796, and the numbers after each name indicate the number of days that each man had to perform labor on the public highways. These figures will also show the relative amount of property possessed by each man, as the number of days' work which he had to perform was measured by the property which he owned. A reference to the description of the districts on the next page will also show the approximate location of each of these persons.
District No. 1 : Levi Arnold, overseer, 7; John Finch, 3; Alexander Campbell, 15; Abijah Ketehum, 4; Nathan Bowley, 4; Benjamin Weldon, 9; Isaac Finch, 8; Simeon Frisbee, 4; Justice Finch, 2; James Finch, 2.
District No. 2: Daniel Chapman, overseer, 5 ; Samuel Jackson, 6; Ebenezer Baker, 3; Isaac Baker, 3; William Baker, 2; Uriah Palmer, 8; Sylvanus Palmer, 4; William Palmer, 2; Doct. Stone, 3; Chandler Phillips, 2.
District No. 3: Rufus Green, overseer, 4; Lott Ehnore, 9; John Elmore, 9; Ezekiel Montgomery, 3; Theophalus Jackson, 3; Jabez Allen, 9 ; Isaac Allen, 6; Peter Allen, 2; Moses Dickson, 8; John Howe, 7; Uriah Waterman, 3; Elisha Thompson, 2; Nicholas Palmer, 4; William Brangham, 2; Zachaus Weston, 2; Solomon Moon, 4; Cyrus Soper, 2; Edward Palmer, 3.
Distriet No. 4 : Isaac Wright, overseer, 9; Joshua Wells, 8; Daniel Pay, 2; Thomas Filmore, 2; Barzila Handy, 2; Edward Palmer, Jr., 2; Ezekiel Palmer, 2 ; Reuben French, 4; Aaron Leonard, 6; Zebulon Warner, 3; Asa Adgate, 12; Asher Adgate, 8; Abraham Gillet, 3; John Douglass, 8; John Hawley, 2; Abel Baker, 2; William Handy, 2 ; Abel Handy, 2; David Yal, 2; Samuel Hadlock, 2; David Wright, 2 ; William Buckle, 2; Samuel Hawley, 2; Bartlet Bets, 2.
District No. 5: Elisha Jinker, overseer, 4; Emanuel Berdsley, 8 ; Beverly Berdsley, 8; James Weston, 3; James Bean, 4 ; Andrew Debar, 3; Benjamin George, 2 ; Robert Day, 4; David George, 3.
District No. 6: George Everett, overseer, 5; Edward Everett, 5 ; Reuben Whitman, 3; Abednego Ricketson, 6 ; Joshua Arthur, 4; Thomas Arthur, 4; John Morehouse, 7; William Morehouse, 7 ; Joseph Swanway, 3; Alexander Blair, 2; Francis Swanway, 2; John Swanway, 2.
District No. 7 : Heury Green, overseer, 8; James Mc- Over, 2; Elisha Green, 1; Gilbert Reynolds, 1; West Samuel, 4; George Martin, 3; Peter White, 2; Daniel Jackson, 3; Samuel Brown, 2; John Stanton, 4.
District No. 8 : Win. Kecse, overseer, 16; John Phillips, 2; John Howard, 3; Elisha Thompson, 2; Aaron Bene- dict, 3; Cyrus Benedict, 3; John Sheldon, 5; Benjamin Karls, 3; Aaron Benedict, Jr., 3; William Benedict, 2; Thaddeus Sheldon, 2.
District No. 9: John Coehran, Jr., overseer, 5; John Haff, 13; John Dobb, 2; Israel Reynolds, 3; William Pollard.
District No. 10 : Amos Day, overseer, 12; John Cochran, 16 ; Jonathan Birt, 2; Asa Ehmore, 4; John Brotherton, 4.
Distriet No. 11 : Robert Cochran, overseer, 6; Silas Cochran, 4 ; David Leonard, 2.
District No. 12 : Augustine Arthur, overseer, 5 ; Reuben Arthur, 4 ; Moses Soper, 8; John Bettis, 2; Israel Buck, 3; Sherman Hunt, 2.
District No. 13: Almon Phillips, overseer, 5; Nicholas Barker, 5 ; Robert Anson, 5 ; Solomon Brown, 2; Joseph Jekax, 3.
District No. 14: Gilbert Thew, overseer, 5; Robert Whitcomb, 3; David Cochran, 3; Garret Thew, 5 ; Stephen Stark, 2.
District No. 15: Stephen Keese, overseer, 8; David Oshorn, 4; John Osborn, 3; Richard Keese, 17; John Keese, 15; John Keese, Jr., 2; John Skinner, 2; Amasa Draw, 2; John Taylor, 2; David Chandler, 2.
District No. 16: Ebenezer Olmstead, overseer, 8; John Dantz, 4; Rodman Green, 2; Elihu Allen, 4; Abner Allen, 4; Zebulon Allen, 2; Moses Gleson, 2; Caleb Simmons, 3; Peter Halleck, 5; Benjamin Briggs, 2; Eleazer Nichols, 4.
District No. 17 : Simeon Eells, overseer, 4; Benjamin Green, 3; Mr. Francis, 2; John Green, 4; Noah Lee, 4 ; Abijah Hawks, 3; Isaac Cole, 2.
TAVERNS.
Peru, in former days, was on the highway of stage-coaches and private conveyances, and the hotels in their day were well appointed and received abundant patronage. The land- lords who used to entertain the publie in those days were among the honorable citizens of the town. They enjoyed the confidence and suffrages of the people, dispensed good liquors, wielded the toddy-stick to good effeet, and never dreamed that brandy sling, or Holland gin, could degenerate to the deadly modern potion of strychnine and metallic salts.
The first hotel in Peru was kept by Nathan Averill, in the Union, a little north of the house where Widow Rogers lived and died but a few years ago. At that time the Union was the business and commercial centre of Peru. All elections were held and the town business done at that place, and all through travel eame from the Indian Pass over Halleck's Hill, and through the Union. Hotel business was lucrative. Robert Batty built a large hotel farther south, below the meeting-house, and his place was largely patronized for many years.
Elisha Button, at Button Brook, kept a well-appointed and spacious house for a long time. His house was on the thoroughfare to the north.
Silas Cochran was the first hotel-keeper in Peru village. His stables were superior, and his house in keeping with the carly prestige of the village.
The first hotel north of the river was kept by Garlick & Hackstaff, in a house built by Orange Ferris. The house was a little to the north by west of Franklin Ehore's store. Garlick, in time, built a hotel on the south side of the river,
344
HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY, NEW YORK.
and down to a time in the recollection of many now living kept a reputable and popular house. The house formerly occupied by Garlick & Hackstaff fell into bad hands, bad repute, and a fatal decline. Nauseous to virtue, it was razed to the ground by an unknown and self-appointed committee of safety, under the cover of night.
Opposite the Cochran tavern Chauncey Stoddard had a hotel for several years, and was succeeded by Orrin Hack- staff.
Dr. Heman Garlick built and kept a tavern on the south side of the river, at Peru village, at quite an early day. He kept it several years, and was followed by Joseph Nicholas. He, in turn, was succeeded by Walworth Elmore.
Upon the site of the Sherrill House, at Peru village, Thomas D. Gilson, afterwards sheriff of the county, had a hotel about 1830. He was followed by a man by the name of Wells. A number of others kept it, among whom was Halcomb. Sanford M. Sherrill, son of Seth Sherrill, an old settler at Plattsburgh, built the present hotel in 1875, and has kept it since. Other hotels have existed in the village and town.
STORES.
Robert Batty had an early store at the Union, and car- ried on quite an extensive trade. Judge Henry De Lord was also early in trade there.
Asa and Lott Elmore built the " old red store," at Peru village, about 1810, and engaged in trade, either in partner- ship or alone, for a great many years. Lott Elmore built the store now occupied by J. B. White. Franklin Elmore, son of Asa, succeeded his father, and carried on the business on the old site for many years.
Benjamin Ketchum was among the early traders and prosperous business men of Peru village, and built the brick store on the south side of the river. Alger & Hub- bard succeeded Ketchum in trade for several years.
A man by the name of Hopper did considerable business on the north side of the river, and Weston & Hoag followed soon after.
Lott Platt, nephew of Lott Elmore, also traded for a time at the village. Others followed, among whom were Seleucia Elmore and Chauncey Goodrich, and engaged in trade a good many years.
Edgar Beckwith traded in the old Ketchum store a great many years, and was postmaster.
A man named Craig kept an early store in the Allen neighborhood, near the lake, and one by the name of Be- man near him. Others have also existed in the town.
At Peru village, Arnold & Morgan, Robert McP. Day, Richard and George McIntyrc, Heyworth & White, and Leon L. Channell have general stores. Nathan Lapham has a store at Lapham's Mills.
PHYSICIANS.
Dr. Branch practiced at an early day, and was probably one of the first in the town.
Dr. Robar practiced at the same time, and had a wide reputation.
Dr. Silas Goodrich came about 1808, and practiced a great many years in town. He died at Schuyler Falls, over ninety years of age, a few years ago.
Dr. Vaughn was a contemporary of Dr. Goodrich, and engaged in practice in 1813. He removed to Wellsbor- ough in 1825.
Dr. Palmer was in practice at a very early day.
Dr. Alger and Dr. Blaisdell came next in order of time.
Dr. Stephen Cole commenced practice about 1830, and died in the town on Oct. 15, 1876, at the age of eighty- nine. His son, Frank H., the present doctor, succeeded to the practice of his father.
Dr. Ladd is also in practice in the town,
Dr. Sherman practiced for a time in the town. He studied with Dr. Ralph P. Allen, a physician of reputation and character for over fifteen years.
LEGAL PROFESSION.
The legal profession has not been widely represented in the town. J. W. Baldwin is a practicing attorney at Peru village, and occupies the old stand of Judge Watson.
ROADS.
The earliest public roads laid out within the limits of the town were on Oct. 1, 1790, as follows : " Beginning in the center of the west line of Lott No. 13, thence East across Said Lott, thence to the Northeast corner of Lott No. 12, thence Northeasterly as the course is now Cut out to the south line of the 600 acre Location, thence Down the Said South Line East to the west of Moses Dixon Lott No. 6, thence North to the Northeast corner of John Elmore's Lott No. 1, thence Northeasterly on the Best ground to the Little River Sawble, then Down the said River about 3 Chains Apisit to a pine Ridg, thencc Across the said River onto the said Ridge, thence to the Lake shore as the said Road is now cut, thence along the lake shore Northerly to A Red oak Tree Marked H, thence Northwesterly as it is Now Cut to the Bridge by John Cochran."
Another : " Beginning at the Southeast Corner of Lott No. 13, thence North Between the Lotts Nos. 12 and 13, to the Above Mentioned Road."
Another : "Beginning in the Center of the North Line of Lott No. 13, thence South to the Road above Mentioned, which Runs East and West through Lott No. 13."
In May, 1790, other roads were laid out in the town, among which was one "from the River Saranac to the Southermost Settlers in the Township of Plattsburgh, which now begins in the Town of Peru on the South Line of Griswould's patent."
Others followed on Nov. 3, 1792, Jan. 24, 1793, Jan. 26, 1793, Oct. 4 and 17, 1793, Nov. 4, 1793, and at later dates ; but the description of them is so uncertain, and fol- lows monuments so perishable, that a full presentation of their outline would be devoid of interest here. A descrip- tion of the road-districts as they were defined on March 13, 1794, will give some idea of the general location of the roads,-
District No. 1 : Beginning at the north line of the town of Peru, the Lake road to the channel of the little river Sawble onto the middle of the bridge.
District No. 2: From the middle of the above Little River bridg to the Great River landing, and from the line between Jabez Allen and John Howes across the brook
.
PHOTOS BY HOWARD & CO.
JOB SHERMAN.
DR. PLINY SHERMAN.
JOB SHERMAN.
Job Sherman is a descendant of Philip and Sarah Sherman, who settled in Rhode Island in 1639, they' having a grant of two hundred acres in that State from the town of Portsmouth, dated Dec. 10, 1639. Their children were : Eber, Peleg, Edmund, Samson, Mary, Philip, Sarah, Samuel, John, Benjamin, and Hannah. Philip Sherman died in March, 1686. V
Peleg Sherman married Alice Fish March 16, 1697. To them were born Thomas, Richard, Elizabeth, Peleg, Grizzel, Caleb, George, Saulsbury, and Preserved.
Preserved and Anna Sherman had five children, named Job, Preserved, Samuel, Anna, and Alice.
Job Sherman married Martha Sherman. In the family Bible-upon a fly-leaf of which is written, "Job Sherman, his book the 23rd day of fifth month, 1771, cost £1 19s Lawfull money"-is this record of their children, omitting dates of births: Sarah, Mary, Ben- jamin, Rebecca, Martha, Obed, Abigail, all born in Rhode Island, between the years 1764 and 1780.
Philip Sherman married Philena Irish, of Danby, Vt. They had ten children : David, Anna, Hannah, Maria, Job, Pliny, Sarah, B. Franklin, T. Elwood, and Richard.
Job Sherman, second son of Benjamin and Philena, was born Dec. 28, 1806. He was a farmer, and spent his entire life on the farm on which he was born.
Taking an active part in local politics for nearly half
a century, he was one of the most prominent men of his town, identifying himself with, and participating in, all movements of a progressive, important character.
He was of the Society of Friends, and lived a plain. . unpretentious life.
He never married, but lived on the homestead with his brother and sisters. He died July 8, 1863.
Pliny Sherman, M.D., was born in the town of Peru Jan. 13, 1809. He graduated at Burlington Medical College, Burlington, Vt., at the age of twenty-two, having previously studied with Dr. Ralph P. Allen, of Keeseville, N. Y. He immediately commenced the practice of his profession in the village of Peru, in his native town, remaining there ten years.
In the fall of 1841 he moved to La Assumption, Province of Quebec, practicing there for about ten .years, when, owing to the delicate state of his wife's health and the rigor of the climate, thinking a change might benefit her, he determined to return to Peru, which he accordingly did, spending the remainder of his life in his native town.
Few men have possessed in greater perfection that rare combination of qualities which go to make up the family physician. Benevolent, humane, urbane, and unassuming, he was the family friend and doctor in the fullest sense of those terms. Dr. Sherman died July 4, 1879.
RESIDENCE OF T. ELWOOD SHERMAN, PERU, NEW YORK .
345
TOWN OF PERU.
westwardly to the road that goes froin the Great River landing to the mill.
District No. 3: From the road that comes from the Little River landing, beginning at the corner at Samuel Jackson's and running westerly by Sylvenias Palmer's to Doct. Nicholas Palmer's ..
District No. 4: From John Howes by the mills and threw the land belonging to John Cochran, Jr., westerly as the road is laid out to Rogers' road, a little south of John Keeses.
District No. 5: From Doct. Nicholas Palmer to Capt. Everitt's on Rogers' road.
District No. 6: From the road that comes from the Little River bridg, beginning where the line strikes the road, which line divides Israel Reynolds and Jacob Finch, Jr., thence running by John Finch's and Samuel West to Rogerse's road.
District No. 7: From the Little River on Rogerse's road to where the road turns to Robert Whiteomb's.
District No. 8: From the Lake road westerly to Robert Cochran, and the road that goes from that road across the Little River Falls, to the road that goes by John finche's and Samuel West.
District No. 9: From Henry Green's to Church Hill, or to the other road.
The Rogers road, leading over Halleck Hill and nearly north from the Union to the Saranac River, was for years the only really passable good carriage-road in the town. All others were bridle-paths and cross-roads leading to the cabins of the first settlers. A carriage-road was soon after made from the Stanton place, about one-fourth of a mile north of the river, on the Rogers road, to Cochrane's Hill, on the present site of Peru village.
RAILROADS.
The New York and Canada Railroad passes north and south through the eastern section of the town, and has a station at Valcour.
The Ausable Branch passes from Plattsburgh southwest- erly through the town, and has stations at Lapham's Mills and Peru village.
PROMINENT MEN.
Among the men of prominence that the town has either produced or fostered, Elisha Arnold, Henry De Lord, and Judge Kecse have already been referred to. The Elmore and Everest families have also been prominent in the coun- cils of the town. Nathan Lapham represented the Six- teenth Senatorial District in the State Senate in 1860 and 1861.
The town has had a full representation in the State Legislature. Asa Adgate represented the district in 1798- 99; Elisha Arnold, in 1808; Robert Platt, in 1814-15; Josiah T. Everest, in 1855 ; and George Hallock, in 1864.
CIVIL ORGANIZATION.
The civil organization of the town begins with the time of its incorporation. The territory comprised in the town includes a large number of patents. Stewart's patent oc- cupied the northeast corner of the town, South of that
was Zephaniah Platt's 1665-acre location, with another 600-aere location lying southeast of that, surveyed to the same gentleman. South of the 1665-acre location laid the Gife lot, while west of it was the Bell patent. Newcomb's patent laid north of that, and west of the latter was Thorp's patent, with Watson's patent south of it. The fifth and sixth divisions of the " Old Military Tract" occupied the entire west end of the town.
The first meeting of the town, after the passage of the act of incorporation, was held on Dec. 28, 1792, at the dwelling-house of Samuel Jackson. John Cochran, Jr., was chosen Moderator, and the following town officers were chosen : Edward Everitt, Supervisor; Richard Keese, Isaac Finch, and John Howe, Qualified Assessors; Lott Elmore, John Finch, Gilbert Thew, Qualified Commis- sioners of Highways ; Reuben Arthur, John Elmore, Qualified Constables ; Reuben Arthur, Qualified Collector ; Jabez Allen, Richard Keese, Qualified Overseers of the Poor; Ezekiel Lockwood, Qualified Poundmaster ; Jabez Allen, Samuel Jackson, Qualified Fence-Viewers or Damage " Prisors"; Isaac Finch, Jabez Allen, Daniel Chapman, John Cochran, Jr., Ezekiel Lockwood, Samuel West, and Henry Green, Qualified Overseers of Highways.
It was voted " That every seed hors running at Large after the 2d of April, 1793, shall be liable to be taken up by any Freeholder or Inhabitant of said Town, who after giving Notice their to the owner shall be Entitled to five shilling per Day for Keeping such horse untill the owner shall pay such Charges and secure said hors."
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