History of Clinton and Franklin Counties, New York : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 99

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 99
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 99

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).

Francis Bowrn, son of Nathaniel and Freelove (Haile) Bowrn, was born Nov. 28, 1764, in a place called Oblong, in the State of New York.

Francis Bowrn was married, Oct. 31, 1784, to Sarah Beckwith, of Manchester, Vt. Their chil- dren, eleven in number, were Content, Sarah Ruth, Freelove, Roxa, Mercy, Lucinda, Lncy, Francis, Huldah, F. Amos, and Nathaniel.

Mr. Bowrn's father was a cabinet-maker, and plied his trade in Plattsburgh during a long life.

F. Amos was reared to the same business, making it his calling through life.

He married, Nov. 12, 1826, Lydia W. Cromack, second daughter of James and Lydia Cromack, of Coleraine, Mass. There issued from this union children named Francis, Sarah, Truman, J. Chap- man, Marquis, D. Brainard, Proctor P., Jeremiah N., Terzia K., and Lydia A. Of these but three are now living,-Truman D., Brainard, and Lydia A.

F. Amos Bowrn removed to Saranac in 1849, where he has since lived, carrying on the business of cabinet-making, and tilling his farm. His life has been an uneventful one. He has contented himself with the rearing of his large family,-the most of whom he survives,-and in filling the position of a good neighbor, genial friend, and an honest, upright man ; and now, at the age of seventy-three, he looks back upon a well-spent and busy life, with but few regrets for the past and no fears for the future.

VL Rich . N.A.

Gro Parsing

365

TOWN OF SARANAC.

Zebulon Cayea, private, 96th Inf., Co. B; oul. Oct. 10, 1861 ; dischi. for disability, November, 1862.

Stephen Tucker, private, 16th Inf., Co. C; enl. April 25, 1861 ; must. out at end of term, May, 1863.

Brainard Bowen, private, 16th Inf., Co. C; enl. April 23, 1861.

Peter Everest Senney, private, 16th Cav., Co. L; enl. March 1, 1864; still in service.

Michael Senney, private, 176th Inf., Co. A ; enl. Oct. 1, 1863; still in service. Joseplı Lagoy, private, 192d Inf., Co. F; enl. Feb. 11, 1863 ; still iu service.

Charles Henry Lezotte, private, 16th Inf., Co. E; enl. May, 1861; must. out at end of term, May 25, 1863.

George Lawyer, private, 30th Col. Inf., Co. C; enl. Aug. 25, 1864; still in ser- vice.

Francis Lagoy, private, 118th Inf. ; enl. Aug. 7, 1862; taken prisoner at Drury's Bluff, May 16, 1864; died of starvation in Andersonville prison, Aug. 29, 1864.

William W. Wilson, private, 91st Inf., Co. C; enl. September, 1864.

Arthur Z. Wilson, private, Ist Eng., Co. F; enl. September, 1864.

Milo Evens, private, 91st Inf., Co. C; enl. Aug. 25, 1864.

Platt Evens, private, 118th Inf .; enl. Aug. 8, 1862; died of lung disease at regi- mental hospital, Va., Feb. 20, 1863.

Charles Bostick, private, 91st Inf., Co. C; enl. Oct. 12, 1861; died of chronic diarrhoea, Nov. 7, 1863.

Abraham Allen Davis, 6th corp., 118th Inf., Co. B; eul. August, 1862.

Lucius Davis, private, 118th Inf., Co. B; enl. Dec. 15, 1863; disch. for disability, May 31, 1865.

John Narrow, private, 4th Inf., Co. A ; enl. Ang. 4, 1864; substitute.

Thomas Kirk, private, 176th Iuf., Co. A ; drafted July 1, 1863; still in service.

Nahum Henry Ayres, private, 34th Mass. Inf., Co. D ; enl. July 4, 1862; wounded at Piedmont, June 5, 1864.

Franklin Joseph Ayres, private, 16th Cav., Co. I; enl. Sept. 9, 1864.

William Kane, private, 91st Inf., Co. C; enl. September, 1864.

Patrick McRandell, private, 91st Inf., Co. C; enl. Sept. 5, 1864; died of disease contracted in the army, at West Troy Barracks, near Albany, N. Y., Jan. 22, 1865.

Eugene Colomb, private, 16th Cav., Co. L; enl. March 3, 1865; still in service. David Snell, private, 14th N. H., Co. F; enl. August, 1864.

Leouard Snell, private, 1st Harris Light Cav., Co. E; enl. Sept. 4, 1862; died of typhoid fever and disease of heart at Queen's Hospital, Alexandria, Va., Dec. 1, 1862.

John King, private, Ist Art., Co. B; enl. Ang. 17, 1864.

Francis Laconnt, Jr., private, 10th Inf .; enl. Aug. 19, 1864.

James Karn, private, 60th Inf., Co. H, enl. September, 1861; re-enl. Dec. 24, 1863.

James Rogers Smith, private, 121st Inf., Co. C; enl. Aug. 29, 1862; disch. May 17, 1865.

Peter Supernaw, private, Ist Lincoln Cav., Co. M; enl. Sept. 17, 1864.

Ira Johnson, private, 16th Iuf., Co. A; enl. Ang. 29, 1862; killed at the battle of Salem Church, May 4, 1863.

Frederick Fersha (substitute), private, 60th Inf .; eul. Ang. 18, 1864 ; reported to be killed on picket.

Robert Tacy, private, 2d Cav., Co. L; enl. November, 1863; died July 26, 1864. Nicholas Lapere, private, 96th Inf., Co. B; enl. November, 1861; died of con- snmption at Fortress Monroe, Va., in 1862 or 1863.

Andrew Young, private ; enl. May, 1864. Franklin McDanniels, private, 16th Cav., Co. C.

Joseph Annis, private, Ist Art., Co. B.

John A. Dawson, private, 16th Cav., Co. C.

Jacob Strack, private, 91st Inf., Co. C.

Geo. W. Clark, private, 9th Vet. Res. Corps, Co. K.

John Hallar, private, 91st Inf., Co. F. James Gero, private, 118th Inf., Co. II.

Mitcholl Tury, private, 118th Inf., Co. A.

Timothy Leary, private, 118th Inf., Co. II.

John Terry, private, 118th Inf., Co. A.

Xevia Maggy, private, 192d Inf .; enl. March 17, 1864; dead. Israel Garrow, private, 59th Mass .; enl. Feb. 4, 1864. .

Joseph Tacy, private, 2d Vct Cav., enl. Dec. 22, 1863; discharged,

Wallace Slater, private, 16th Cav; enl. February, 1863. Lafitte Myers, private, 95th Inf; enl. Sept. 15, 1864. Louis Whito, privato, 2d Vet. Cav .; enl. April 4, 1864.

Henry Blood, private, 118th Inf., Co. B; enl. July 11, 1862.

Mitchell Willett, private, 16th Inf .; eul. May 15, 1861 ; wounded and taken prisoner at Fair Oaks.

Seymour Bailey, private, 91st Inf. ; enl. August, 1864. John Shannon, private, 118th Inf .; enl. Aug. 3, 1862. Richard Rawlins, private, 142d Inf .; enl. Sept. 17, 1864. Hugh Dougherty, private, 142d Inf .; ent. Sept. 17, 1864. Martin Shay, private, 13th Art. : enl. Sept. 17, 1864. William Cross, private, Ist U. S. Cav .; onl. Sept. 20, 1864. John V. Havens, private, 142d Inf. ; onl. Sept. 19, 1864. Daniel A. Witherwax, privato, 142d Inf .; enl. Sept. 19, 1864. Charles Pasco, private, 91st Inf. ; enl. Sept. 19, 1864. Joseph Cune, private, 91st Inf. ; enl. Sept. 20, 1864. Ira Labounty, private, 91st Inf .; ent. Sept. 20, 1864. II. D. N. C. Hill, private, 142d Inf. ; eul. Sept. 20, 1864. Jolin Hoovey, private, 92d Inf .; ent. Sept. 21, 1864.

Lizem English, private, 91st Inf .; enl. Sopt. 21, 1864.

Samuel Franklin Welch, private, 118th Inf .; enl. Sept. 21, 1864. Phillip Brand, private, 25th Cav. ; enl. Sept. 21, 1864. John Carroll, private, 25th Cav .; enl. Sept. 21, 1864.

Thomas Turner, private, 25th Cav .; enl. Sept. 21, 1864. Thomas Hayes, private, 25th Cav .; enl. Sept. 21, 1864. Edward Ilayrus, private, 91st Inf. : enl. Sept. 26, 1864. James Clarkson, private, 91st Inf .; enl. Sept. 27, 1864. James Farrell, private, 91st Inf .; enl. Sept. 27, 1864. Theodore Bury, private, 91st Inf .; enl. Sept. 27, 1864. Andrew G. Dunlap, private, 1st Eng .; enl. Sept. 20, 1864. Stephen Normanda, private, 17th Inf .; enl. Sept. 20, 1864. Jas. F. Gilbert, private, 17th Inf .; enl. Sept. 20, 1864. Levi Rock, private, 17th Inf .; enl. Sept. 20, 1864. John Bull (substitute), private, 91st Inf .; ent. Sept. 26, 1864.

Joseph Roche (substitute), private, 91st Inf .; enl. Sept. 26, 1864. Joseph Frennier (substitute), private, 91st Inf .; enl. Sept. 20, 1864.

Michael Looney, Daniel Vincent, John S. McCann, Geo. S. Harris, Clark Col- lins, Louis King.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

GEORGE PARSONS,

son of Seth and Rachel Parsons, was born in Northampton, Mass., May 3, 1793. His father, being one of the pioneers of Hampshire Co., Mass., married Rachel Wales Oet. 25, 1787, and reared a family of ten children, the eldest, An- selin Parsons, born July 25, 1789; Eunice Parsons, born Jan. 20, 1791 ; George Parsons, born May 3, 1793; Seth Parsons, born Jan. 10, 1796 ; Jonathan Wales, born Oet. 16, 1797 ; Nathaniel Horace, born April 19, 1801 ; Henry, born April 16, 1803 ; Rachel, born April 13, 1806 ; Frances, born Aug. 17, 1809 ; Daniel Lewis, born Feb. 5, 1812, and the only one living of his father's family.

George Parsons married Sarah Strong, at Northampton, Mass., March 15, 1815. Said Sarah was the mother of the following-named children : Sally Maria, born at North- ampton, Mass., Dee. 7, 1815; George Henry, born Aug. 4, 1817 ; a son, born April 21, 1819; William Strong, born July 11, 1820; Aaron Wales, born Jan. 16, 1822 ; David Hunt, born Dee. 20, 1823; Eliza Strong, born at Saranae, N. Y., Nov. 23, 1826. During the period from his marriage to his removal to Saranac, N. Y., he was en- gaged in various industrial pursuits in Hampshire Co., Mass., quite prominent among others was the purchase of horses for the Boston market. His brother, Anselm Parsons, having located in Plattsburgh, N. Y., engaged in mercantile and manufacturing pursuits, and a change of climate eon- sidered necessary for the wife of said George, he came to Plattsburgh and Saranae in 1823, returning in the latter part of the year; and in June, 1824, brought his family to Saranae, N. Y., loeating near the Saranae River, his transit being by team to Burlington, Vt., thence by boat to Platts- burgh, and team to Cadyville, and up the Saranae River seven miles by a row-boat to his new wilderness home, where he engaged in elearing land, making potash, and putting logs into the river to be manufactured into lumber at Cadyville. His wife for a time seemed to be benefited by the change, but after the excitement and the enjoyment of wilderness scenery had subsided, she went into a decline, and on the 17th of October, 1830, fell a vietim to pul- monary consumption, and had one of the early graves of the Saranae Cemetery ; her surviving children, save one, , and her husband have the same resting-place.

366

HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY, NEW YORK.

June 16, 1831, George Parsons married Mary Emerson Hoyt, a native of Tuftonborough, N. H., then resident of Saranac, who was mother of the following-named children : Frances Eliza, born April 12, 1832; Susan Harriet, born March 18, 1834; Rachel Wales, born April 1, 1836 ; Sarah Maria, born March 15, 1838; Janet Eunice, born Aug. 9, 1840. Frances Eliza died in Fremont, Wis., leaving thrce children, two, a twin son and daughter, now living. Susan H. died at Saranac, N. Y., one daughter now living. Rachel Wales died at Saranac, N. Y., one daughter now living. Said George's second wife died of pulmonary con- sumption, Feb. 2, 1841.

Sept. 7, 1842, George Parsons married Adeline H. Tun- nicliff, who was mother of the following-named children : Sarah H., born Nov. 12, 1844; Wales, born Dec. 11, 1846, both living. Said George's third wife died June 6, 1872. From 1836 to 1867 George was engaged in farm- ing, lumbering, and mercantile pursuits, and in 1844 became identificd with the iron interest upon the Saranac River, and continued the same until November, 1867, when he retired from active business, and was succeeded by the only surviving son of his first wife, D. H. Parsons, who had been associated with his father, directly and in- directly, since 1846, during the various depressions that were experienced by the iron-manufacturers of this section. The subject of this narrative kept steadily at work, with firm hand and steady purpose, always exhibiting, with tender emotion, a heart of sympathy and anxiety for the best good of his employees, many of whom delight in recalling acts of kindness received at his hand.

He occupied various public positions of trust; was an earnest, active partisan, acting with the Democracy of his county from 1837 to the close of his life. His associations as a business man gave him an extensive acquaintance, and one remarkable trait of character possessed by him at ad- vanced years, was a strong attachment to the younger class of his associates. His later years, on the shady side of seventy, were marked with that cheerfulness and youthlike turn of mind that is seldom exhibited in declining years.

On the 29th day of December, 1874, accompanied by his son Wales, he left his home for a short tour at the Saranac lakes, in his usual health, arriving at Blood's Hotel, where he retired apparently well, and ere the morn- ing dawned he passed the river of death unheeded and alone, in the eighty-second year of his age.

JOHN HUSE,

eldest son of Joseph and Amanda Huse, of Hopkinton, St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., was born in Vermont, April 28, 1835. He was married, Oct. 4, 1863, to Hannah J. Smith, step- daughter of L. Cadwell, of Redford, Clinton Co., N. Y.

Their children have been Orville Terry and Lottie Amanda, the latter dying in infancy.

In many respects Mr. Cadwell, the step-father of Mrs. Huse, was a remarkable man. We quote from an article in the Plattsburgh Sentinel of March 7, 1879, entitled " Sketches of Old Settlers and Pioneers :" ... "At the age of sixteen, Mr. Cadwell commenced life as a teamster,

barefooted and scantily clad, in the lumber-woods on Black Mountain, working for one George Reynolds. At the age of twenty-eight he married Almeda Newton, a lady of real worth and rare personal attractions, and with the savings of a few hundred dollars came to Northern New York and purchased, with Alfred Case, a tract of timber-land in the town of Saranac, arriving on the 4th of December, 1836. Subsequently, in company with Col. John Harris, of Ticon- deroga, they bought what is known as the Barnard Mills, on the Saranac River, and engaged in the manufacture of lumber. At the expiration of five years, during a series of unpropitious events, he lost his property, but with an in- domitable perseverance soon regained what he had lost, and added several mills and large tracts of timber-land to his now increasing business. The decline of his wife's health and death after twenty-seven years of married life was the cause of great grief to him. After the lapse of one year he was married to Mrs. Smith, widow of Allen B. Smith." Mr. Cadwell died Sept. 3, 1864.

LEWIS LYON

was born Sept. 18, 1814, in Royalton, Vt., and is the son of Nathaniel Lyon, who settled in Saranac, Clinton Co., in 1803 or 1804. Nathaniel Lyon, after whom the mountain

LEWIS LYON.

bearing his name was called, was one of the first settlers of that part of the county, and was a relative of Gen. Na- thaniel Lyon, who was killed at the battle of Wilson's Creek, Mo., in August, 1861. There were but two or three families living in Saranac when Mr. Lyon came. The first female child born in the town was Fanny Lyon, now Widow Curtis, in 1804. Mr. Lyon lived a few years on the place where he first settled, and then moved back some four miles, well up towards the base of Lyon Moun- tain, where he clearcd a farm. Miss Hattie Lyon, grand-

RESIDENCE OF JUNIUS B. WEAVER, SCHUYLER FALLS, N. Y.

367

TOWN OF SCHUYLER FALLS.

daughter of Nathaniel, was the first lady to ascend to the summit of Lyon Mountain, Aug. 11, 1876. During the war of 1812, Mr. Lyon, apprehensive of danger from marauding bands of Indians infesting the country, aban- doned his farm and returned to Royalton, Vt., returning to his farm at the close of the war. It was during this so- journ in Vermont that Lewis Lyon, subject of our sketch, was born. Lewis Lyon, at the age of twenty-two, was married to Joanna Ryon. Their children have been : Sey- mour, member of 118th Regiment, N. Y. Volunteers, died in the army and buried at Yorktown ; Ransom, Harriet N., Emma E., Nelson N., and Elmore L.

IRA B. VAUGHAN

is descended from German ancestors, who came to this coun- try and settled in Washington Co., N. Y., at a very early date.

His grandfather, Benjamin Vaughan, was one of the first ministers that preached in Plattsburgh. Benjamin was married three times, and was the father of twenty-one children, all of whom reached adult age.

Ira Vaughan, father of Ira B., was the second son of Benjamin. His business was various in kind, but princi- pally that of lumbering and surveying. He built what is known as Wood's dam, on the Saranac River, more than sixty years ago, which is still in perfect repair. Ira Vaughan was married in 1806 to Sarah Bourn, of Platts- burgh.

Ira B. Vaughan is the second son of Ira and Sarah (Bourn) Vaughan, and was born Oct. 31, 1810, in the town of Plattsburgh, on what is known as Beckwith Street. At the age of fourteen he removed with his father into what afterwards became the town of Saranac. Here his father engaged in the lumber business, running a black- smith-shop in conjunction therewith. In this shop Ira learned the trade of blacksmith, following it ten years. Finding this trade uncongenial to his tastes, he, in 1834, abandoned it. Having been elected constable and collector at one and the same election, previously to his removal to Redford in 1836, he devoted himself to the duties of these offices and to the study of law. March 4, 1855, he was elected justice of the peace to fill a vacancy and for a full term,-five years in all. The interim between 1840 and 1855 he spent in the praetiee of the law.

In 1867 he was again elected to the office of justiee, and has held that offiec ever since with the exception of two years.

March 25, 1833, he was married to Martha Manley, eldest daughter of Col. Manley, of Saranac. Their chil- dren have been four,-Charlotte M., Rodney S., Florinda T., one dying in infaney.

Mr. Vaughan's life has, as he expresses it, been a check- ered one; without advantages of early education, by perse- veranee and self-instruction he has won his way to the position of an able lawyer.

CHAPTER LXV.

SCHUYLER FALLS.

Geographical-Topographical-The Pioneers-Their Locations-In- cidents of Pioneer Life-Initial Events-Civil History-Organiza- tion of Town-First Town-Meeting-Officers Elected-Supervisors and Town Clerks from Organization of Town to 1880-Present Officers-Ecclesiastical History-Military Record.

THIS town is located near the centre of the county, and is bounded as follows : On the north by the Saranac River, which separates it from Plattsburgh, on the east by the Saranac River and Plattsburgh, on the south by Peru, and on the west by Saranac. It is an interior town, lying a little southeast of the centre of the county.

The surface of this town is rolling in the east and hilly in the west, with a general inclination towards the east. The soil is a light sandy loam.

To Ezra Turner is inscribed the honor of having been the first settler within the boundaries of this town. He was one of the original thirteen settlers in the town of Plattsburgh, where he remained until 1794, when he came here and made the first settlement in the town. He mar- ried, about 1794, Amy Beman, daughter of Nathan Beman,* she being at the time only sixteen years of age.

They immediately moved into the woods seven miles from the little settlement on the lake, and here in the dense un- inviting wilderness erected a rude cabin, and christened it with the endearing title of HOME.

" Our forest life was rough and rude, And dangers clothed us round ; But here, amid the green old trees, A home we sought and found. Oft through our dwelling wintry blasts Would rush with shriek and moan : We cared not,-though they were but frail. We felt they were our own !"

Their stock of household goods was meagre, and here they remained one year without neighbors.

Their dwelling stood on the south side of the river, a short distance south from the point where the bridge crosses the Salmon River at the Mckinney place, now owned by Mr. Thompson.

The next pioneers who threaded their way into the wil- derness were Daniel and Roswell Jones and John Roberts. The Joneses settled farther down the river, and Roberts above.

Soon after a Mr. Bulliss effected a settlement on the river adjoining the premises of Mr. Turner.

A Mr. Wickham settled a short distance up the river, who remained only about two years, and was suecceded on the location by Mr. Brand. Mr. Roberts, mentioned above, who came into the town at the same time with the Joneses, remained but a short time. He removed South, and the place was soon after occupied by David Hart, whose son now lives near the old homestead.

About this time a settlement was made farther up the

# This Nathan Beman was tho lad who piloted Ethan Allen to Ti- condoroga when on that May morning in 1775 ho politely requested the British general to surrender in the name of the " Great Jehovah and tho Continental Congress !" Beman was then about sixtoen years of ago.

368

HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY, NEW YORK.

river by an old man named Gorman Bullin, who had a family of six sons and four daughters,

A Mr. Begle, or Bedell, as the name is now called, was the pioneer on the high hill at the west end of the Irish Settlement road. He located here in 1805. It is stated that in an early day this locality abounded in bcech-trees, and it was the prevailing custom of the settlers in the fall. to drive their hogs here to feed on the beech-nuts ; hence the name of " Hog Hill," by which the locality has since been known.

The pioneers on Mason Street were Wait Hammond, Ezra Smith, Heman Smith, one of the Broadwells, a Mr. Winchell, Benjamin Bromley, Rev. John Moxley (Method- ist Episcopal Church), James Brond, Henry Lobdell, - Soper, Benjamin Bedell, Seneka Bedell, Stukcly Arnold, Elekum Mason, Maj. Powers, J. Stickle, Armon Spaulding, Joseph Mason, Charles Barnard, Esq., Neamiah White, Eli Bates, Phinies Wheelock, Rev. Edward Gould, Elija Weston, Philander Recd, Elija Hammond, David Broad- well, James Terry, Jarod Broadwell.

On Lobdell Street : Daniel and Albert Show, T. Ayer, Stephen Rice, Jarod Bigalow, Lewis Lobdell, John Farns- worth, Daniel Lobdell, Harry Goodell, Bcley P. Lennard, John Merchant, Albert Norris.

On Soper Strect: Fredus Ayer, Rev. John Stoddard, Jacob Soper, Allen Smith, Joseph Soper, James Davis, Charles Reed, James Haley.

From Morrisonville to Wood's Mills : Almond Canfield, Caleb Dustin.

Howe District, west part of the town : John Dale, Pal- mer White, Everest, Ira Howe, Nicholas Tobins, William Emery, Sr.

Irish Settlement, east part of the town: Christopher Sherlock, William Mc Williams, Laura Fitzpatrick, John Horney, Nathaniel Treadwell (surveyor), Henry Bullis, Peter Robberts, Erastus Holms, Levi Jones.

The Beckwith Street pioneers were Weaver, Hawkins, Ayer, Doty, Canfield, Collison, Hemon Smith, Cornelius Halsey, Myron Reed, Zeruth Parish, William Broadwell, Wait, Wm. Taylor, Henry Long, David Blanchard, Proctor Pierce, Israel H. Canfield, Mason Moore, John Bulles, Daniel Crosson, Jacob and Grant Beckwith, Isaac Morrison, Henry & Vanostim (tanners and curriers, and shoe-manufacturing), Abram Show, Benire Huntly, Story (Baptist minister), Jacob Allen, Charles Hunter, N. P. Gregory, Wm. Bates, Josiah Willcox (Methodist Epis- copal minister), Peter Weaver, Uriah Ayers, George Haw- kins, Charles Hazen, Joshua Moore, Isaac Johnson, Edward Stickle, John and Jacob Stickle, Dr. Isaac Patchen, Abel Turner, and John Cross.

Of the first settlers of the town but one survives,-Peter Weaver, aged ninety-seven years.

The first saw-mill was built by Ezra Turner in 1801, on the river near where he resided. Although not a preten- tious structure, it was indeed a great convenience to the early settlers. The first lumber cut at this mill was used by the settlers and others in the vicinity, but he soon after commenced sawing lumber for the Quebec market. "For twenty-two years," says his daughter, the venerable Mary Turner, " he continued to take his lumber to Quebec, and

only missed one year in the time, but he made this up by going twice one year. He used to bring back his pay in silver, and had a heavy trunk full, but when his men were all paid he had but little left."

The first grist-mill was built by Daniel Rodee in 1810, located a short distance above the village. A saw-mill and forge were subsequently built at the same place by John Merchant. The old forge still remains. In 1823 the grist- mill was burned, and two years later Rodee rebuilt the mill on the site now occupied by the Norris Starch-factory. A Mr. McIntire built a saw-mill a few rods above where the road crosses the river. It was sold to Barlow and Loren Sherman, and subsequently passed into the hands of Jacob Rodee. It was carried away by a freshet in 1827, and re- built by John Merchant, and was again swept away by a freshet.

The first mill at Morrisonville was built by Hagar just above the lower bridge. The first mill at the upper dam, where the road crosses, was built by Joseph Mason and Edward Stickle. The mill on the Hilliard Brook, near where Mr. Tobin now lives, was built by John Merchant. Mr. Cartwright crected a mill farther up the stream, near the premises now occupied by John Wall.

The first forge was built by Ezra Turner and his oldest son, Eliphalet. It was located near the saw-mill.

The first school was taught in a barn which was built by Ezra Turner in 1802. The first school-house was crected in 1804, near where the James Brand house now stands, and the pioneer teacher was John Singlehurst, a deserter from the British army during the Revolution. He was familiarly known as " old Master Singlehurst."

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History of Clinton and Franklin Counties, New York : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 99

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