History of Jefferson County, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 110

Author: Durant, Samuel W; Peirce, H. B. (Henry B.)
Publication date: 1878
Publisher: Philadelphia : L.H. Everts & Co.
Number of Pages: 862

USA > New York > Jefferson County > History of Jefferson County, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 110

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The first grist-mill was built by Seth Cutler on Hull creek, on lot 45, about 1805, to which the settlers used to carry their grists on their backs. It was abandoned in the course of ten years.

Thomas Stancliff built a saw-mill on the same stream, perhaps in 1805. He was killed a year or two thereafter by the falling of a tree. The mill then became the prop- erty of Comfort Stancliff, who operated it until it was given up.

John Alger erected a saw-mill at an carly day on lot 31, which passed into the hands of C. P. Totman, by which name it was known, and was carried away by a freshet.

On the lower Deer creek, on lots 42 and 53, were small grist- and saw-mills known as Gillman's, which have passed away ; on lot 54 is a small mill built by S. Lyman, and at present owned by Henry Bartlett ; and on lot 98, on the same stream, are two more mills, built about twenty-five years ago by Nelson Cox and J. O'Niel, and at present operated by the latter and William Standish.

On the upper Deer creek, at Waterville, is a small mill formerly known as Lepper's, but at present owned by C. H. Lyman. A chair-factory was operated at the same place by S. Warner. A small mill erected by Nathan Gardner on lot 63 was deserted years ago.

On the brook, in the southern part of the town, Henry Brigham had a cheese-box factory on lot 81, where he met his death by falling upon the saw, and the factory was soon after discontinued. Just below, a small corn-mill was erected at an carly period, which soon gave place to a grist- mill, which was destroyed by fire. At present there is a saw-mill, with a cheese-box factory attached, at this point, operated by John Brigham.

In the northern part of the town David Smith built a saw-mill on Abijah creek, which for the last twenty years has been operated by Eli Moore. Farther to the

west on Sandy creek and the stream flowing into it from the north, Sylvanus Lockwood built a saw-mill, which is now known as Tole's. Daniel Wheeler built a mill which is operated by Newman Hawley ; and a Mr. Chafin built another which was discontinued for lack of water. The mills and factories at Lorraine village will be noticed in that connection.

As the timber supply decreased and saw-mills were discon- tinucd, there was a demand for another branch of manu- facturing industry. This has been supplied in the many

CHEESE-FACTORIES

which now exist. The first in the town in the order of time was the " Maple Grove Factory," crected by a stock company in 1863. It was operated in their interests about four years, when the bulk of the stock passed into the hands of Andrew Gillet and Montgomery Adams, who are the present proprietors and manufacturers.

" The Lorraine Central Factory" was built in 1868, by Ira Page. It was destroyed by fire in 1875, and has not been rebuilt.

" The G. A. Fox Factory" was erected in 1870. It has a good patronage, using the milk of 175 cows.

" The Pitkin Factory" was built in 1865, by A. Webb and I. Pitkin. It has a good situation, and uses the milk of 200 cows. E. Pitkin is the present proprietor.

" The Excelsior Factory" is the most extensive in the town. It was built in 1870, by Fred Barga and William Searls. In 1872, H. A. Gardner bought the property, and at present operates the factory. The milk from 400 to 500 cows is used.

"The A. J. Bettinger Factory" was built about 1863, by Bongford, Bettinger & Allen. In 1872 the present proprietor assumed charge. 250 cows supply the milk used.

" The Tifft Factory," erected in 1866 by Tifft, Wilcox & Bailey, was destroyed by fire in February, 1869. In 1873 another factory was built near the old site, by John Wilcox, which now belongs to Poole & Graves, and is operated by Elgin McTaggart.

ROADS.

The State road from Rome to Brownville was located through this town in 1804. It has from the beginning been an important thoroughfare, and was a potent agent in the rapid settlement of Lorraine. Other roads were carly located, and liberal aid was voted by the town to put them in good condition. In 1810 $250 were appropriated for roads and bridges ; in 1841 $750, and in 1877 a single iron bridge was built, costing $1200. In 1805 there were 6 districts formed, with James McKee, William Maynard, Stanton Brown, Nathan Chever, Warren Flower, and Joseph Case as overseers. In 1807 the districts had increased to 18, and in 1877, with only half the area, there were 47 districts, This distribution of labor has been promotive of good results, so that the roads of the town are, in spite of their irregular courses owing to the broken condition of the surface, in fair order.

THE CEMETERIES.

With one exception, the cemeteries of the town are con-

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HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY, NEW YORK.

trolled by the official board, and are eared for by means of appropriations voted at town-meetings.

" The Rural Cemetery Association" was formed Jan. 8, 1852, by John Boyden, Aaron Brown, John Bentley, Eben Brown, Knapp Maeomber, Joseph Grimshaw, Allen Pitkin, Lorenzo Reed, John Haneock, Moses Brown, Elihu Gillet, Sardis Abbey, Augustus L. Baker, Peter Hanson, Leonard A. Parker, Joel Buel, Luther Lanfear, and Parley Brown. The control of the cemetery at Lorraine village was seeured, an addition to its area made, and the whole · was properly inelosed. It now contains 13 aeres. The association is managed by a board of nine trustees, these being eleeted annually. The present board are Latham Lanfear, John W. Brown, Philo M. Brown, David Gillet, Almond Harrington, Ransom R. Corbin, Henry M. Brown, Joseph Grimshaw, and Elihu Gillet. It is said that Eliza- beth, the wife of Josiah Brown, was the first interred in the Rural Cemetery. Probably the first death in town was a Mr. Child, whose earthly days were shortened by a tree falling upon him while he was engaged in ehopping.

SCHOOLS.

As near as ean be determined Miss Betsey Burbee taught the first school, in the summer of 1807. There was a log house erected for this purpose near where the Baptist church now stands in Lorraine village. She also taught there the following year. In 1813 there is a record of 18 districts, of which 3 at least were in Worth. The town has at present 12 districts, and is fairly supplied with sehool buildings. The appropriations made for the support of the schools are generally equal to those made by the State, and the average term taught numbers about thirty weeks.

MILITARY RECORD.

Lorraine received its share of the heroes of our struggle for independenee, who came to find a home and who lived there until their death. The list ineludes the names of Elijah Fox, Sr., Jacob Weaver, Benjamin Fletcher, Caleb Tifft, Martin Rice, and John Wiswell. The last claimed to have been one of the Boston tea party of 1773.

The War of 1812 ealled out a full quota of the citizens, who hastened with great alaerity to the defense of Saeket's Harbor and other threatened points in the county. Among those who rendered distinguished service was Gen. Clark Allen. He participated in the engagement at Saeket's Harbor, and was in command of the first body of men to occupy Cape Vineent. Besides the response from men subject to military duty, there was a company of " Silver Grays," and soon after the declaration of war the following document was forwarded to General Brown :

" LORRAINE, July 21, 1812.

" DEAR SIR,-Viewing our country in danger, and feeling a will- ingness to dofeud tho samo, sixty men assembled in this place and made choico of Joseph Wilcox as captain ; James Perry, lieutenant ; Ebenezer Brown, Jr., enxign. This is therefore to desire your honor to furnish us with arms and ammunition, while you may have tho assurance we shall be ready on any invasion within the county of Jefferson, at a moment's warning, to defend the same. The abovo men met at the house of John Alger, on the 16th inst., and may be considered as Silver Grays, that is men who are exempted by law from

military duty. We wish yon, sir, to forward the arms to this place as soon as possible, and bo assured we are, with respect, yonr humble servants.

" JOSEPH WILCOX, Captain. " JAMES PERRY, Lieutenant. " E. BROWN, Eusign."

This company frequently met for review and exercise, and on the oceasion of the attack upon Saeket's Harbor marched for the seene of the engagement, but not in time to take part in it.

The late Rebellion, also, found Lorraine prepared to aid in its suppression. A ready response was given to the first demand for troops, and when, in 1862, the eall was made for 300,000 additional volunteers, a special town-meeting was held to hasten the response. The record of this meet- ing shows the state of the publie mind. The minutes are headed by the words, "WAR! WAR!" and inform us that it was voted that a bounty of $50 a man, over and above the amounts of State and county bounties, be raised, and, as a further indueement, $5 a man additional was voted to all who would enlist that day, May 13, 1862.

CIVIL ORGANIZATION.

The act of incorporation direeted the first town-meeting of Lorraine to be held at the house of John Alger, March 5, 1805. The election resulted in the choice of the follow- ing officers : Supervisor, Asa Brown; Clerk, William IIos- ford ; Assessors, Clark Allen, Ormond Butler, Warner Flowers ; Collector, O. Butler; Poor-masters, William Hunter, C. Allen ; Constable, O. Butler; Com. of High- ways, William Hosford, Michael Frost, Asa Sweet ; Fenee- viewers, William Lanfear, Joseph Case, Elijah Fox ; Pound-masters, James MeKee, John Griswold; Scaler of Weights, Seth Cutler.

Sinee the organization of the town the following have served as Supervisors :

1805-6. Asa Brown. 1852. James Gifford.

1807-13. Clark Allen. 1853-54. John F. Robinson.

1814. Elihu Gillet. 1855. Elisha Allen.

1815-24. Clark Allen,

1856-8. Parley Brown.

1825-29. John Boyden.

1859. Elisha Allen.

1830-31. Jared Gleason.

1860. Edmund G. Remington.

1832-35. John Boyden.

1861-62. Philo M. Brown.

1836-37. Loren Bushnell.

1863-64. Edmund G. Remington.

1838. John Boyden. 1865-66. Samuel T. Tifft.

1839. Elisha Allen.

1867. Spencer Woodward.

1840. Loren Bushnell.

1868, Philo M. Brown.

1841. E. Allen. 1869. Alonzo W. Grow.

1842-43. James Gifford. 1870. Philo M. Brown.

1844. John Boyden.

1871-72. Alonzo W. Grow.

1845. E. Allen. 1873-75. Carlton C. Moore.

1846. John Boyden.

1876. Orville C. Tucker.

1847. David J. Redway.

1877. Carlton C. Moore.

1848-51. Moses Brown.

From the records of the town many interesting facts are gleaned. At the State election held in April, 1807, 85 votes were polled, of which Morgan Lewis received 47 and Daniel Tompkins 38. The population had so mneh in- ereased three years later, 1810, that 162 votes were polled.

In 1806, " Voted, there be a pair of stocks ereeted in the town of Malta. Voted, that the stocks be set at the crotch of the road, near John Algier's." It is thought that these resolutions were passed in order to convince a

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HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY, NEW YORK.

desperate character, then living in the town, that this salu- tary instrument would be used, if necessary, to reform him. The unworthy citizen took the hint, " skipped" the country, and the stocks were never erected. At this meeting, also, an embryotic legislator offered the following effective "means-to-the-end" resolution : "That swine be well yoked, and ringed, and shut up in a good pen."

In 1812, " Voted, that if cattle are found within thirty rods of a public inn, from December 15 until April 15, that the owner pay $1.00 for every such offense; one half to be given to the complainant, and one half to the poor."

On February 6, 1810, a special meeting was held, to divide the town, at the house of Benjamin Gates. Elihu Gillet was appointed moderator. "Voted, to go around and each man give his vote verbally." "That the town be divided according to the division line between No. 1 and No. 2." Not one person dissented, but owing to vari- ous eauses the separation did not take place until 1848.

In 1811 the members of the Griffin family,-Samuel, aged thirteen ; James, seven, and Mary, nine years,-who were left in destitute circumstances, were legally indentured to Joseph Odell, Elihu Gillet, and Timothy Risley, re- spectively. The boys to be instructed " in the art and min- istry of farming ;" Mary " in the art and ministry of house- keeping." And in consideration of the faithful service which the boys were to render, each was to receive, on at- taining his freedom, " one new Bible, durable wearing ap- parel of all kinds, one suit of which shall be new, likewise sixty dollars in neat cattle, stock to be appraised at cash priccs." Mary was to receive, besides the Bible, "one good eow, one good feather-bed, with bolsters and pillows, to be of geese feathers."

Deer and other game were common in the town, as well as beasts of prey, which led to the offering of bounties for the destruction of the latter. Wolf bounties of $10 were offered in 1806, and $5 from 1809 to 1820; also panther bounties, in 1810, '11, '17, '19, and '20, of $5 and $10, and a bounty of $0.50 for every fox killed in the town. In 1822 there was a bounty of $0.25 on poor Reynard's scalp. The wording of the bounty act of 1820 is remarkable for its originality : "That a bounty of $5 be paid for every wolf or panther killed in the town ; one-half to be paid for the use of the poor, the other half to the complainer."

In 1822 "that the sealer of publie weights keep the same for publie and not for private use." In 1839 " notice was given that an application would be made to the Senate and Assembly to attach a part of Lorraine to Adams," but nothing resulted from this move. In 1847, at a special election held for this purpose, whether the town grant license or not, 106 voted for and 108 voted against license. There were appropriated $250 for the support of the poor the same year.

In 1855 S. Lyman made a proposition to the town, at its annual meeting, to convey the old Congregational church to the town for a hall, to be opened to all meetings, civil and religious, if the town would repair the hall in a suitable manner. This was done, and the house has since been used, and is known as the Town Hall.

In 1864 the office of supervisor was tied between Philo M. Brown and Elisha Allen, each having received 157 votes.

As neither accepted the office, the county board selected Edmund G. Remington to fill the vacancy.

WATERVILLE,

in the eastern part of the town, on Hull crcek, is a small hamlet of a dozen houses. A chair-factory was formerly carried on here by S. Warner. At present its manufactur- ing interests are limited to the saw-mills mentioned else- where.

ALLENDALE,

so called in honor of Gen. Clark Allen, is a pleasant little hamlet in the western part of the town, on Sandy creek. Its settlement is nearly as early as that of the town, but as it is only two miles south of Adams it has not improved as fast as it would under more favorable circumstances. There is a grist-mill, by L. Caulkins; a cabinct-shop, by A. E. Baker; a eider-mill and a blacksmith-shop, by George Rip- ley ; and a small store, by Grove Heath. In the last is the post-office, which was established in 1871, under the name of Caulkins' Mill, but which was changed in 1873 to Allen- dale. Lorenzo Reed is the postmaster. The mail service is daily, from Adams to Lorraine and points beyond.

Among the early mechanics at this point were Elisha Allen and Lyman Heath, blacksmiths, and L. Heath, shoe- maker. About 1830, Martin Rice built a small factory at this place, for the spinning and weaving of flax. After oper- ating it seven or eight years, it was abandoned as unprofit- able. A distillery was also carried on for several years by Alexander Allen and Loren Bushnell. The building was converted into a horse-barn by E. Allen.

The school-house at Allendale is the finest in the town, and was erected in 1876 by Martin and Ira Tole, at a cost of $1000. It is a commodious frame, with a tower and bell, and is supplied with modern furniture. The house is also used for religious meetings by the Mormons and other sects.

LORRAINE VILLAGE

is a place of about 125 inhabitants, five and a half miles southeast of Adams, at the confluence of Decr and Hull creeks. The location is romantic, being cosily nestled among the hills, and the place has a quiet, pastoral beauty, which has endeared it to the inhabitants. John Alger erected the first house in 1803. A number more were built in a few years, and the settlement acquired the name of " Lorraine Huddle," or the "Huddle," which yet at- taches to it to some extent. It has always been the princi- pal point in the town, and the history of its mills, stores, and taverns is common property.

Besides the public-house of John Alger and Dr. Weston, several other hotels cxisted in the village. Alger was succeeded by Pardon Peek, and he, in turn, by Lemuel . Hunt, who kept the house until his death, about 1865. The house has sinee that time been used for a dwelling, except a portion occupied for a Grange hall. In 1841, C. Gillman purchased a small house of Loren Bushnell, which he enlarged for a tavern. It was known as "Gillman's Inn," and had a good patronage. In 1862, D. B. Lock- wood became the proprietor, and yet further enlarged the house. . O. C. Tueker and C. J. Snow, also, had control of

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HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY, NEW YORK.

the place, each for several years. Horace Streeter, the present landlord, took charge in 1875, and it is at present the only hotel in the place.

STORES.

About 1809, Aaron Brown built a small store-room, where he opened a stoek of goods soon after, and associated Joel Brown with him. The house stood on the site occu- pied by Elijah Bellinger's residence. About six years later, John Caulkins and Alanson Russell opened, in another building, where Albert Streeter's house now stands, a store which was consumed by fire in 1825. The house was re- built, and Loren Bushnell and Luther Lampson put in a stock of goods. They continued in trade until 1840, when they were suceceded by Baker & Gillet. Elihu Gillet took the interest alone, and sold out to Caulkins & Brown, the last in trade in the old building. It was demolished in 1870.

In 1840, Moses Brown and Luther Lamson erected the building now occupied by the post-office, where they were in trade seven years, when Brown had the store alone until his death, in 1853. Philo M. Brown succeeded, and re- mained in trade until 1867. Next followed A. W. Grow, Brown & Moore, and Philo Brown. C. D. Grimshaw at present occupies the place for a grocery-store.

In 1857 Elihu Gillet erected a store-room, in which Philo Brown carried on trade several years. In Sept., 1870, C. C. Moore began business there, and still continues.

Aaron Brown built a saw-mill at Lorraine in 1807, where the present saw-mill stands. This has been re- modeled a number of times, and, the water failing, Eli Maltby added an engine in 1860. Abel Wagoner, the present owner, also manufactures cheese-boxes.

About 1808, Aaron Brown erected a grist-mill upon the site of the present structure. It was a two-story building, with two run of stone. A part of the frame remains in the present mill, and in many respects it is yet the old mill. It was known for many years as Brown's mill, though having had a number of different owners. Joseph B. Wilcox became the proprietor in 1870, and is the present miller.

SHOPS AND FACTORIES.

The first blacksmithing done in Lorraine was by Ward Fox. William Carruth had a shop for many years. Elihu Gillet worked at the trade thirteen years in a shop on the site of Moon's store. In 1846, Joel Buel put up another shop, across the ereck, where Elijahı Bellinger's shop now stands. The old shop was destroyed by fire, July 4, 1877 ; the present one was erected in its stead. In 1858, H. B. Harrington erected a large shop on the south side of Hull ereek, which furnishes power for his machinery. On the south side of the village, on the State road, Almon Har- rington built a shop in 1874, where he carries on the trade.

A man named Curry was the first wheelwright in the town. He carried on the trade in a shop in the rear of Gillet's blacksmith-shop. Thomas White also worked there a number of years. Asa Copeland built a good shop about 1846, on the site now occupied by Elijah Bellinger. He also manufactured household furniture. Bellinger pur- chased this shop in 1872.

A fulling-mill was erected by John Boyden in the gulf below the old Fox blacksmith-shop. The business increased so much that it required a larger building, and a new factory was erected on Hull creek. Boyden was succeeded by Sar- dis Abbey, who worked the factory several years. While the property of L. L. Bateman, the building was turned into a lumber-manufacturing establishment. A saw-mill and a planer were attached, and it is at present used as a general wood-working factory.

About 1808 Aaron Brown built a distillery on Deer ereck, which received the name of " Still creek" from this circumstance. The business was continued only six or seven years ; but the old building remained for a long time.

A POST-OFFICE

was established in Lorraine about 1806. The mail-route was from Rome to points north. Simeon Parkhurst was the carrier, and Benjamin Gates the postmaster. Williamn Carruth was also one of the early postinasters, and, as letters frequently eame with the postage unpaid, the settlers bartered their maple-sugar at four cents a pound to raise the postage. O. W. Grow is the present postmaster; and there is a daily mail from Adams to Worthville via this płace.

Egg-packing, by a new process, was begun here in 1867, by A. W. Grow. From a small beginning a large business has sprung. The process consists in immersing the eggs in a chemical solution, which enables them to keep fresh for years. W. R. Grow and L. F. Caulkins are the present proprietors. Nearly 55,000 dozen eggs were put up in 1877.

PHYSICIANS.

Dr. Isaac Weston was the first to permanently locate in Lorraine. He was an old-time practitioner in many re- spects, and it is related that when his serviees were sought on a certain occasion by a man who had cut himself chop- ping wood, the good old doctor prescribed blood-letting and ealomel as the proper remedies for the case. Other prac- titioners were Drs. French, Bagg, Tuttle, Hathaway, and Nugent. Drs. Z. K. Babcock and M. L. Overton are the present physicians, both of the allopathie school.

ATTORNEYS.

No regularly admitted members of the bar ever lived in Lorraine, although there were those who practiced in justices' courts. Among these were John Earl, John Bently, and Parley Brown.

A résumé of the business of Lorraine shows the following business firms : general merchandise, C. C. Moore; gro- ceries, C. D. Grimshaw ; egg-packers, Caulkins & Grow ; hotel, Horace Streeter ; harness-maker, H. Wilson ; shoe- makers, Elihn Gillet and W. R. Steele; joiner, John W. Brown ; miller, Joseph B. Wilcox ; saw-mill, Abel Wago- ner ; planing-mill, L. L. Bateman ; wagon-maker, Elijah Bellinger ; cooper, A. Streeter ; blacksmiths, H. B. Har- rington, Almon Harrington, and Elijah Bellinger ; physi- cians, Z. K. Babcock and M. L. Overton ; and postmaster, O. W. Grow.

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HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY, NEW YORK.

RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES.

Nearly all the religious interests of the town are eentred in the societies worshiping at Lorraine village. There are a number of Adventists in the southern part of the town, eon- neeted with the church at Mannsville; and other ereeds have their adherents, though without any regular organization.

THE BAPTIST CHURCH OF LORRAINE

was formed in 1806, with a membership of thirteen, and had the Rev. Amos Lamson as pastor, who was ordained October 7, 1806, and who was sueeeeded, in 1815, by Sol- omon Johnson. Rev. Benjamin W. Capron was employed in 1819, and in May, 1824, Parley Brown was ordained, and labored until 1830, when he was succeeded by John F. Bishop, who served one year. Charles B. Taylor was next ealled to the pastorate for three years; and in 1837 Henry Ward commenced a three years' connection. In 1840, Elisha Robbins was employed, and, in one year, Luther Humphrey, who, in July, 1842, was ordained, and eon- tinued three years. He was succeeded, in 1845, by O. L. Crittenden, who remained one year. The church was with- out a pastor until 1850, when J. F. Bishop was ealled. He remained one year, and was sueeeeded by Philander Per- sons, whose pastorate was continued several years. In 1859, L. P. Day was ealled, and remained with the church two or three years. Then followed an interval when the church was without a pastor until 1864, when L. G. Brown eame and remained three years. W. H. Taylor became pastor in 1870, and in 1871 E. G. Blount followed him, remaining fifteen months There was no regular pastor until 1875, when E. H. Lovett eame, and remained with the church two years. At present (1877) the church is without a pastor. The frequent pastoral changes have not been favor- able to the interests of the church. The membership has been greatly diminished, until at present it numbers only 42.

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History of Jefferson County, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 110

Author: Durant, Samuel W; Peirce, H. B. (Henry B.) Publication date: 1878 Publisher: Philadelphia : L.H. Everts & Co. Number of Pages: 862

Author: Durant, Samuel W; Peirce, H. B. (Henry B.)
Publication date: 1878
Publisher: Philadelphia : L.H. Everts & Co.
Number of Pages: 862