USA > New York > Herkimer County > History of Herkimer county, New York > Part 40
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Post-offices and Post Routes .- Josiah Smith was the first postmaster appointed in 1813 and kept the office about twenty years in his hotel. He was succeeded by Levi Brainard, who held the position two years. David Du Bois was appointed in 1830, and was postmaster for seven-
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teen years. During all this time, and for some years after, the mail route was over the old State road. At first weekly and semi. weekly trips on horse-back were made. About 1850 the mail route was changed, and since that time news has come from the outside world via Herkimer and Newport. Joseph C. Crane, William Vandenburgh, Jeremiah Smith, Charles K. Johnson, Alonzo Rust and John B. Root have since been postmasters. Dexter W. Smith was appointed July 1, 1878. He was succeeded by H. J. Vrooman, J. C. F. Walker and Nathan Smith. J. H. Bliss is the present incumbent.
Merchants and Stores .- Of Norway's first merchants, Thaddeus Scribner & Brother, but little is known. They came about 1790 or 1791, located a short distance north of the present village of Norway and remained but a short time. Peter Swinburne opened a small store soon after on the Jerseyfield road, a little north of where the State road now crosses the former. He removed at an early day to Deer River, Lewis county, where he died in 1832.
George W. and William H. Cook came into the town in 1792 from Dutchess county, with both capital and enterprise. They purchased 400 acres of land just north of Norway village ; erected a large building which served the double purpose of store and dwelling ; kept a large and varied stock of goods for the times, and for some twelve years secured a large trade. William H. Cook was appointed sheriff of the county March 17, 1802, and held that position for four years, in suc- cession. He was again appointed in 1808 and held the office one year. The Cooks left town for New York about 1808. At an early day Dr. Westel Willoughby, Dr. Moses Tombling and John Nicholson were engaged in trade on a small scale at localities not far distant northerly from Norway village. Nicholson removed to Herkimer, and was elected member of Congress in 1808.
Horace Dorman, a Mr. Weed and Preserved Hall had small stores in the eastern portion of the town, and Parsons & Brother and Dr. Roland Sears at the sulphur springs at an early date.
The first store kept at Norway village was opened about the year 1800 by Nathan Hinman The house in which the store was located stood on the site of the present hotel. Soon after Truman White and one Carr were in trade here. Carr's store was near where Gage's shop
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now stands. Still later, probably about 1810, Cooper & Sanford built a store and embarked in trade ; two years later they sold out to Fred- erick Mason, who came from New London, Conn. Mason was a man of decided business ability, and well adapted to attain success as a country merchant. He continued in trade until 1838, when he sold his property to Charles W. Lowerie, and soon thereafter removed to Brooklyn, where he died.
Charles Bradley built the store now occupied by J. H. Bliss in 1816, and continued in trade for about ten years, a portion of the time in partnership with Henry Waterman, late of Newport. Bradley died in 1825, when Buell & Hallett purchased the store, and after continuing the business for a time, sold to Stevens & Nichols, who were in trade a short time, when A. H. Buell again became proprietor, with John P. Mabee as a partner. Three years after Mabee sold his interest to William Vandenburgh, who continued business with Buell two years, when he retired, and the firm of Buell & Willard was formed in 1839. In 1844 George N. Willard bought Buell's interest and continued alone until 1848, when he sold to Stebbins & Ives. J. H. Ives & Co. bought out the last named firm in 1852, which was succeeded by the " Norway Union Store Company " in 1855, which existed three years. Jefferson Tillinghast occupied the store for a year or two after. The store was afterward used for a tin and a shoe shop until 1876, when it was pur- chased by D. W. Smith & Co., who continued the business until 1886, when it was sold to J. F. C. Walker. This store is now occupied by J. H. Bliss.
After Mason's discontinuance of business his store was occupied two years by Burrell & Ives, who were followed by C. W. Lowerie, Lowerie & Henderson, Stebbins & Ives and A. Rust. In 1860 the building was remodeled into a dwelling house.
About 1850 Alonzo Rust bought the large corner building opposite the hotel, where he did business until 1863. He was followed by Root & Service and J. B. Root. In 1867 another " Union Store Company " was organized for a term of ten years. Its stockholders comprised most of the farmers of the town, and A. S. White, C. A. Walker, J. M. Salis- bury and J. M. Root served as agents. Ten years' experience and $3,000 loss convinced the stockholders that they were not adapted for
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mercantile pursuits. Frederick Smith occupied this store from Sep- tember, 1877, to April 1883.
Zenas Smith was in trade about two years in 1886-87. He was fol- lowed by J. C. F. Walker, who now occupies the building.
In 1853 a store was begun in connection with the Grayville tannery, and is still in successful operation.
Norway's Centennial .- One of the most notable events in this town's history was the centennial celebration of its settlement by the Potters in 1787. It occurred September 7 and 8, 1887, and was a marked suc- cess, in spite of unfavorable weather on the first and main day of the gathering. The programme had been carefully prepared and was suc- cessfully carried out. Nearly or quite 2,000 people were present. Large delegations from the adjoining towns attended and guests were present from Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island and most of the Western States, including California. Inspiring music was furnished by the Cold Brook drum corps and brass band. The exercises at the platform were opened with prayer by the Rev. C. H. Austin. Fred. Smith read an interesting historical sketch of the town. Addresses were delivered by Hon. H. H. Holt of Michigan, Hon. G. W. Smith of Herkimer and Hon. P. H. McEvoy of Little Falls. Fine poems were read by Rev. C. H. Austin of Ilion and Hon. J. D. Henderson of Herkimer. A free ride from the railroad at Newport and return, a free dinner served in the Mason mansion and a warm welcome for all at- tested the hospitality of Norway's citizens.
The second day of the celebration was held in the old Union church, and took the form of a social love feast. It will long be remembered as a season of intense interest, as anecdotes and reminiscences of the olden time were related.
" Friends and schoolmates meet once more, Playmates who wandered o'er the hills In by-gone years-now aged nien And matrons gray-in sweet converse Recall their childhood hours again."
The success of the celebration was largely due to the efforts of Fred. Smith, who, January 1, 1887, commenced the publication of a small monthly newspaper, Norway Tidings, that awakened a great interest in
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the centennial. The little paper was continued for four years, was lib- erally patronized and gathered up a large amount of local history that otherwise would have been lost.
Religious Meetings and Societies .- The first religious meetings were held by Rev. Mr. Robertson in 1792, upon the authority of the " State Gazetteer ;" but by what denomination, I am unable to tell. A ma- jority of the early settlers from Connecticut and Massachusetts were Presbyterian in sentiment, while those from Rhode Island were Baptist. The first definite information concerning religious matters in town is obtained from the journal of Rev. Caleb Alexander, who made a mission- ary tour in the Mohawk valley in 1801. Mr. Alexander reached Nor- way November 10, 1801, and remained until the 23d of the month, visiting and preaching in this and the adjoining towns of Fairfield and Salisbury. In the closing portion of his journal Mr. Alexander asserts : " In the whole county of Herkimer there is neither a Presbyterian nor Congregationalist minister. The people seem in general to be growing up in ignorance and wickedness."
The next year another Massachusetts missionary, of like religious faith, the Rev. John Taylor, visited the Mohawk and Black River coun- try. He reached Norway July 28, 1802, and from his journal we take the following :
Norway, * * A young gent by the name of Johnson has preached in this town for several Sabbaths, and the people have hired him for three or four Sabbaths to come. There is a considerable congregation of Presbyterians. But it is in this town as in all those parts. There is a mixture of Baptists, of Methodists, Universalists and Deists. In the various parts of the town there is preaching by sectarians of almost all kinds every Sabbath. There is one Methodist church, numerous ; two Baptist churches and part of a third ; no meeting-houses.
A religious association styled the "Calvary Society" was early formed; its members were composed of different denominations, as well as those not church members. One of its objects was to procure preaching, and raise money to defray the expense. Its book of records dates back to 1803. April 5, 1803, the association "voted to make choice of the Rev. Caleb Alexander for their minister, to preach in said society one-third part of the time, and that they give him $100 a year for his services." At a meeting held at Josiah Smith's, December 6, 1806, " it was found that the funds of said society were reduced to $66.50, in consequence
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of deaths and removals from town. Voted that the trustees make a statement of the funds to the Rev. C. Alexander, and know if he will continue to preach in said society for that amount." " An assessment of eighty-six and a half cents on each dollar then collectable " was voted in order to make a settlement with Mr. Alexander. In October, 1813, "at a meeting of the trustees it was resolved to build a meeting-house on Dudley Smith's lot." The building of the first church in the village of Norway was an event that awakened unusual interest. Subscriptions to the amout of $1,640.75 were made.
The Presbyterian church, organized in 1798, was the leading church in the town for over thirty years. Among the clergymen who preached for this church were :
Rers. William Williams, Mr. Harrower, Phinias Robinson, Samuel Sweezy, Charles Bowles, David Chassell, Seth Burt, Mr. Camp, Isaac Foster, Mr. Duncan, Mr. Cargon, Mr. Pratt, and Richard Knight.
The church began to wane in members and prosperity after 1830, and disbanded soon after 1850. Among the prominent Presbyterians of early days were Seth Smith, Sylvanus Ferris, Zadock, Amos and Zenas Bronson, Abram Cole, Josiah Smith and Galen Barstow.
Both the old Union and Baptist churches were adorned with high steeples, but during a severe thunder shower, June 4, 1856, both were blown off and have never been replaced. On the 11th of April, 1871, the old church was again visited by the elements ; a stroke of lightning shattered it, but did not set fire to it; it was repaired the same season, but is now unfit for use. It was last used for a festival in March, 1891.
The early history of the Methodist church in this town is shrouded in mystery. Probably a Methodist society was formed previous to 1800, as missionary Taylor reports a " numerous" Methodist church in 1802. Comfort Barnes, and his sons Luther, Lewis and Cavit, with their families, and some of their neigbors, were Methodists. The Jer- seyfield road was a stronghold of Methodism. The first church build- ing erected in the town, and probably the first Methodist church in the county, was built on the road directly east from Norway village in 1809. It was used as a church until 1839, when it was sold, removed and converted into a barn. Revs. Joseph Willis and Asa Cummins were appointed to labor on the Herkimer circuit in 1808, and are said
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to have been the first circuit preachers in the town. Rev. W. Brown was associated with Willis in 1809. Herkimer circuit then extended from St. Johnsville on the east to Trenton on the west. Rev. Messrs. Dunham, Lippitt, Chandley Lambert, David Shepard, John Ercan- back, Calvin Hawley, and John Wallis were among the early preachers. The prominent members, besides those already mentioned, of this early church were Uriah Tompkins, William Comstock and wife, Stephen Comstock and. his wife, Eunice Comstock, Thomas Rathbun, John Kennedy, Asahel Burlingame, Moses Gage and his wife, William and David Haskins, and Selah Griswold, About the time the old church was abandoned two new Methodist societies were organized. The members living in the central part of the town met at Norway village March 20, 1837, chose the Rev. John Roper and Jeremiah Smith pre- siding officers, and Charles H. Austin, secretary ; resolved that their church title should be "The First M. E. Church of the Town of Nor- way," and that Jeremiah Smith, Johnson Smith, Joel Du Bois, Stephen Gage and Ackland Salisbury be trustees of said society. The members living in the north part of the town met at the Barnes district school- house May 29, 1837, designated their society as "The Second M. E. Church of Norway," and elected Benjamin Austin, Joseph Western, Hiram Getman, Stephen Case and Seymour Bullock trustees. A small but neat and commodious church was built at Norway village in 1837, at a cost of about $1,000, and a similar church at Black Creek soon after. Rev. George Gary preached the dedicatory sermon of the church at Norway village.
The 5th of September, 1870, another Methodist society was formed at Gray, designated "The First M. E. Church of Gray ;" James V. Du Bois, W. W. Bullock, J. M. Brown, V. R. Tompkins and S. B. Legg were elected trustees. A fine church was built here in 1871, at a cost of nearly $5,000. The membership of the three societies, including probationers, numbers about one hundred. The church property is in good condition.
A few of the early residents of Norway were Baptists, and became members of the Newport Baptist church. On the 25th of December, 1823, the members of that church then residents of this town held a meeting at Dudley Smith's and petitioned the "mother church" to
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form a separate church organization. The petition was granted May 24, 1830, and on the 28th of September the same year the church was, after a council, admitted into fellowship with its sister churches. The names of the twenty-three persons first composing the church are as follow :
Osee Brunson, Dudley Smith, Isaac Crosby, Samuel Western, Westel Brunson, Phineas Hemingway, Jefferson Tillinghast, Wilbur Tillinghast, Rebekah Brunson, Ara- bella English, Temple Ross, Anna Brunson, Lydia Tillinghast, Mary Crosby, Priscilla Tillinghast, Mary Crandall, Abigail Nichols, Mary Hemingway, Sarah Western, Polly Underhill, Susanna Smith, Lavina Buck and Sarah Tillinghast.
The next year, 1831, the church erected a large and commodious house of worship, which was dedicated in the spring of 1832, the Rev. Elon Galusha preaching the dedi- cation sermon. The first regular pastor of the church was the Rev. R. T. Smith, who commenced his labors in January, 1831. He was succeeded by the Rev. William B. Curtis, Charles E. Brown, L. O. Lovel, N. G. Collins, N. Furgerson, E. D. Towner, Francis Prescott, S. A. Douglass, Charles E. Brown (again), H. Steelman, I. B. Barker, J. W. Starkweather, R. D. Pierce, David Beecher, S. D. Ross and the Rev. George Fisher, who is the present pastor.
For a period of twenty years after 1835 this church was strong in membership and influence, and its preachers were among the ablest in the denomination. Afterward deaths, removals and internal dissen- sions reduced its membership. For some years past it has been grad- ually growing, and in 1878 numbered fifty-eight members. Twice since the meeting-house was erected it has been thoroughly repaired, the last time in 1878, which left the church property in good condition.
A Freewill Baptist church existed for a time. Job Bly, Timothy Smith, David Humphreville and members of their families were some of the leading members. They had stated preaching for some years at the old Union church, but the church ceased to exist more than twenty years since. Quite a number of persons residing in the Hurricane district are members of the Poland Freewill Baptist church and sustain preaching in their locality.
The Protestant Episcopal church in Norway was organized July 26, 1819, when it was voted that the title should be " Grace Church," and that Henry Lumm and Jared Smith be the first wardens, and Frederick Mason, Levi Brainard, Charles Bradley, Shibnah Nichols, William Forsyth, Danford Doty, James Giles, jr., and Ira Coe the first vestry- men. The first rector was Rev. Daniel McDonald, then principal of
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Fairfield Academy, who commenced his labors about this date. The first organization was not kept up in conformity to law, and a reorgan- ization was effected the 8th day of May, 1837, at which David Du Bois and Joseph C. Crane were elected wardens, and Frederick Mason, Addi- son Manly, J. C. Crane, D. Du Bois, Daniel C. Henderson, Isaac Corp, Morgan Norton and Ira Coe vestrymen.
Rev. William Baker preached for this church many years and is favorably remembered. Other well known rectors were Rev. Messrs. Northrup, William Jolinson and E. N. Goddard. The church member- ship in 1878 numbered about twenty. The Rev. Mr. Morris was then rector of the church, being partly supported by the missionary fund of this denomination. No Episcopal service has been held for several years and the church organization is discontinued.
Physicians .- The earliest physician in Norway was Dr. Westel Willoughby, who came, probably, in 1792. An extended sketch of this faithful physician will be found in the chapter on the Medical So- ciety. Members of the profession who practiced in the town at later periods were Drs. Abijah Tombling, Lazarus Tousey, Roland Sears, Bryant Burwell, William Frame, Moses Johnson, David Bingham, Shadrack N. Vincent, Simon Goodell, Stephen R. Millington, William M. Hayes, Thomas Hayes, H. A. France and Charles J. Hall. Dr. Henry J. Vrooman is now in practice.
Cemeteries .- An acre of land lying on the northerly bounds of Nor- way village was deeded by Dudley Smith in 1803 for cemetery pur- poses. It had been used for a burying-ground at least ten years pre- viously. The first person buried here is said to have been a blacksmith, but the date of his death and his name are unknown. In 1889 a sub- stantial lime- stone wall was erected along the road front-a fine im- provement. Burying-grounds were located at an early day near the southeast and southwest corners of the town, and also in the Hurricane district, and all are still used and in good repair.
The Barnes Street Cemetery was not opened until about ISOS. Mrs. James Jackson, of Black Creek, in that neighborhood, died during a remarkable snow storm, in the spring of 1807, and the funeral proces- sion was two days in going to the Norway village cemetery and return - ing, a distance of four miles. This snow storm is noticed in an old
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memorandum made by Jared Smith, an old settler, as follows: "Nor- way, March the 30th, 1807 .- Snowed till April the 4th, and fell three feet ; with the old snow, five feet deep the 6th day of April."
Quite a number of private and family burying places were located in various parts of the town by the early settlers.
Among the prominent families in this town is that of Smith. Jared Smith, sr., a Revolutionary soldier, and Dorcas Beecher were both born in the town of Huntington, Conn. They were married August 20, 1761, and soon after removed to Southbury, Conn., where their oldest child, Jared, jr., was born April 11, 1766. Dorcas Johnson was born in the same town June 23, 1766, and was married to Jared Smith, jr., January 14, 1787. Soon after marriage they removed to Freeliold, Greene county, N. Y., where they resided about nine years. In 1796 Mr. Smith made quite an extended tour through Central New York, which resulted in his purchasing one hundred acres of land a mile east of where Norway village is now located ; his choice probably being in- fluenced by several Southbury families who had previously settled in the town. Johnson Smith, their only son, was born in this town Octo- tober 30, 1798.
Daniel Salisbury lived for a time and died at Swansea, Mass. One of his sons, Richard, was born in that town and married Elizabeth Easterbrooks, of Warren, R. I. One of their sons, Nathaniel, was born in Swansea, Mass., March 24, 1772. He married Joanna Wilson, of Thompson, Conn., January 27, 1796, and immediately settled in Fair- field, Herkimer county, where one of their daughters, Sarah, was born September 6, 1798.
Johnson Smith and Sarah Salisbury were married January 25, 1825. Frederick Smith, their oldest son, was born in Norway January 9, 1826, and married, November 20, 1851, Miss Maria E. Service, of the same town. llis occupation has been farming and clerking mainly. The official positions he has held in the town are noted else- where. In June, 1871, he was appointed deputy county clerk, and held that office about five years. At present he is engaged in mercantile pursuits at Norway village.
The Norton Family .- Thomas Norton came from England in 1639, with his son John. John died in 1704; his son John (2d) was born in
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1668 and died in 1711. John 3d was born in 1699 and died in 1798 ; his son John (4th) was born in 1734, died in 1804, and was buried on Guilford Green, Connecticut. He married Lucy Lee in 1758. They had eight children. James Norton, their seventh child, was born July 14, 1774. Huldah Chittenden was born October 10, 1777. James Norton and Huldah Chittenden were married at Guilford, Connecticut, in 1794.
Mr. Norton came into this county in 1794 and located upon land purchased by his father in the town of Salisbury, but not being pleased with the location, he came to Norway and purchased the place upon which he lived until his death, in 1850. In May, 1796, he brought his wife and infant daughter (who afterwards became Mrs. Ira Coe) from Guilford. By dint of unflagging industry and much self denial, Mr. Norton cleared up his farm. A growing family made more room necessary, and in 1804 or 1805 he erected a frame dwelling on the site of the present Norton homestead, which a few years later served as a wing to a more pretentious "upright " two-story dwelling, which is now owned and occupied by Mrs. R. C. Norton, the widow of Morgan Norton. Morgan Norton was born in Norway, March 28, 1809. Elizabeth Tillinghast was born in Norway, March 28, 1808. They were married in October, 1836. Mrs. Elizabeth Tillinghast Norton died June 11, 1842. Rhoda C. Dix was born at White Creek, Wash- ington county, N. Y., November 10, 1817. Morgan Norton and Miss Dix were married in October, 1846. Mr. Norton held various positions in the town, and was elected supervisor in 1855. In 1856 he was seriously hurt by falling from a tree, injuring his spine and incapaci- tating him for active business. He died July 15, 1872.
David Du Bois was born June 11, 1797, and is now the oldest resident of Norway. The family descended from the Huguenots, Louis Du Bois being a representative of that persecuted sect who immigrated to this country in 1660, and settled in Ulster county. His third child, Jacob, settled in Norway in 1795. David Du Bois married Sarah Tillinghast, December 29, 1829. The only offspring of this union now living are Luke Du Bois and Mrs. J. D. Henderson, of Herkimer. Mr. Du Bois has been a prominent man in business and politics, and for many years has been senior warden of the Episcopal church.
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HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY.
CHAPTER XXVI.
THE TOWN OF RUSSIA.
R USSIA is one of the large towns of Herkimer county and situated on the northwestern border. It is bounded on the north by Wilmurt and Oneida county ; on the east by Ohio and Norway; on the south by Newport, and on the west by Oneida county. Russia was formed from Norway, as " Union," April 7, 1806. Its name was changed April 6, 1808, and a part of Wilmurt was taken off in 1836, when the latter town was formed. The surface of the town is rolling and moderately hilly, descending quite abruptly on the west to the valley of the West Canada Creek which flows for a long distance on its western boundary. Black Creek flows across the northern part. Cold Brook flows across the southwestern part and affords excellent water power. Trenton Falls, on the West Canada Creek, are on the western border of the town; and about two miles above the junction of Black Creek and West Canada Creek is believed to be the spot where Walter N. Butler was killed by Col. Willett's troops, as related on an earlier page.
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