History of Jefferson County, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 112

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 112

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FERRIES AND BRIDGES.

The old State road which was extended from Brownville to Port Putnam, on the St. Lawrence, in 1803, crossed Chaumont river at Chaumont village. This was also true of the turnpike which Mr. James Le Ray was authorized, in 1815, to construct to Cape Vincent. (In 1831 this turnpike was surrendered to the public and laid out into road districts.) The crossing of the river during the early years of the town was by means of row-boats and scows; poling across was not an unusual method of navigation ; afterwards a rope ferry was used ; and in 1823 (March 12) Vincent Le Ray obtained the right to build a toll-bridge, with a draw for the passage of vessels, which should be not less than sixteen feet in width. It was also stated in the act of legislation that the proprictors should not prevent a erossing of the stream in the winter over the ice within five rods of the bridge. The bridge was to be completed before December, 1824. Several years after, the property fell into the hands of the State, because the parties had not complied with certain provisions of the law of authorization ; and in 1849 it was impassable. Then legal power was given the Lyme commissioners of highways to borrow a sum of money, which should not exceed $5000, for the purpose of rebuild- ing the bridge; and to pay this loan the supervisors were instrueted to levy a tax on the town in five annual instal- ments. The comptroller added to this five thousand dollars the sum of six thousand, and the commissioners of the land office released whatever interest the State had in the right of way, or in the old bridge, then just ready to fall into pieces. With the means thus secured a substantial stone bridge was at once erected, whose solid piers remain good at this writing, and look as if the town would never have occasion to bridge the stream again. There is also a draw for the passage of vessels as in the old structure.

THE FISHERIES.

Fishing in the waters bordering the town of Lyme has been a business of prime importance from its first settlement. Indeed, a year before any inhabitants permanently located,

a law was passed protecting all the people of this region against the seine-fishing of the Canadians; no Canadian was allowed to obstruct the rivers or streams with seines at the east end of Lake Ontario, under a penalty of twenty- five dollars. In 1808, fishing with scoop-nets was intro- duced. This method is not entirely abandoned at the present time. A post is set firmly in the ground, at the edge of the water, and a strong pole poised on its top like an old well-sweep; crossing each other at right angles, and fastened to the end of the pole over the water, are two strong bows ; to the four extremities of the bows is attached the scoop-net, about twelve feet square, and looking very much like a huge bag sieve. The fishing is done by letting the net down into the water, and suddenly raising it as the finny travelers attempt to pass over. Scores of fish have been caught in this way at a single haul.

Seines were introduced about the same time, perhaps a little earlier than 1808. These nets vary in size from a hundred and sixty feet in length to twenty in breadth, and from sixteen hundred in length to a hundred in breadth, being wider in the middle than at the ends. Along the edge of the net, which is designed to be kept at the surface of the water, are attached floats, and along the lower edge are fastened sinkers, which carry the seine down into the water; a rope several feet in length is found at each end. In fishing, the seine is taken into a boat, with the rope at- tached to one end fastened on shore. At once the boat is pushed off. When a few rods out the fishermen begin to let off the net, taking a wide circuit in their course; then they come ashore, fasten both ends of the rope to a windlass, and slowly draw in the net with leaping and struggling fish, unless it happens that none are caught, which is sometimes the case ; but when five thousand are brought ashore at one time, the scene is an exciting and hilarious one. A horse is frequently used in turning the windlass, and two or three hours are required to haul the largest seines. This method of fishing is now given up.

In 1845 the gill-nets were brought into use, and are still employed. They are uniformn in width, are sunk to the bottom or very near it, and their position is indicated by buoys at the surface of the water. The fish are caught in the meshes by the gills, which fact has given this net its peculiar name, aud are invariably found dead; for this reason they are inferior as a market fish, being more liable to spoil. But the most successful fishing in Chaumont bay has been with the pound-net. This method of fishing was introduced in 1859. In the spring of that year Frederick Kirkland and Ralph Rogers set a pound-net off the shore of Point Peninsula, and about the middle of October another was set by O. H. Kirtland, Lucius P. Ingham, and D. W. Clark, who came on from Saybrook, Connecticut, for the purpose. The yields were enormous for the next two or three years, and it was sometimes impossible to care for the fish which were caught.

The average size of the pound-net is thirty feet square, and it is usually set in about thirty feet of water. This is securely fastened to four stakes driven firmly into the bottom, with the upper ends two or three feet out of water. From this pound or receiver, towards the shore, is a large heart-shaped net, with the apex terminating in the pound.

JERRY P. SHULER.

MRS. JERRY P. SHULER.

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PROPERTY OF JERRY P. SHULER, LYME, JEFFERSON CO., N. Y.

RESIDENCE of HIRAM COPLEY, CHAMOUNT, JEFFERSON CO., N. Y.

INN

449

HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY, NEW YORK.

From the base of the heart is a leader, running back to the shore, and fastened to stakes a hundred feet apart; the average length of the leader is thirteen hundred feet, and the stakes, as in the other instance, are firmly driven into the bottom of the bay. The fish mcet this long line of netting, follow it down into the heart, and work towards the apex, because of its peculiar shape. At the apex is a large funnel, in other words, a hoop-net, with a large cirele for a passage out of the heart, and a small eirele at the other end, which terminates in the pound or receiver. After the fish have onee passed through the funnel into the large square pound,-reaching from the surface of the water to the bottom of the bay,-the chances of escape are very small. From a net of this kind a hundred barrels of fish have been taken at one time. They are now very cx- tensively used.

The fish caught in the spring are chiefly pike, while the fall fish are lake herring (ciscoes) and white fish. The seasons vary in production ; and. for this reason, and for others that at once suggest themselves to the reader, it is impossible to give an accurate statement of the quantity of fish taken from these waters. It has been safely estimated, however, that for thirty years, beginning with 1815 or 1816, teu thousand barrels of eiscoes and white fish were annually obtained. For ten years past the business has been lighter ; and at Chaumont Station, for this time, the shipment has been about five thousand barrels cach twelve months-three thousand barrels of salt fish and two thou- sand barrels of fresh. It is a business of thirty thousand dollars a year. The old inspection laws were abolished in 1836, much to the gratification of the fishermen, with whom they were never popular; in fact, they were never of much value.

Near the village of Chaumont are extensive stone quarries, which have furnished the finest of building-stone. A quarry was also opened at Three-Mile Bay a short time ago; there are six in all. The average business for the last ten years has been twenty-five thousand dollars annually. While there are months when very little is donc in this line of labor, during the flush of business as many as two hundred men are employed. The stone lies in immense layers, evenly bedded, and is broken into long pillars by driving wedges into holes drilled about six inches apart, on a given line marked for the purpose. Powder is rarely used. A pillar was onee broken off from a solid bed-stone, one hun- dred and twenty-seven feet long. These stones are dressed on the ground, and shipped upon vessels for their destina- tion. Oswego has received a vast quantity for her piers, canal locks, and railroad bridges; loads have been taken to Charlotte. The light-house at the head of Lake Ontario was constructed from Chaumont stone, and some of the handsome pillars in the market building in the city of Kingston, Ontario, were once in these quarries.

SHIP-BUILDING.

This has been an important branch of business at Chau- mont and Three-Mile Bay, especially at the latter place. From the Chaumont ship-yard have been launched the fol- lowing vessels : Stephen Girard, 60 tons, built in 1832 by William Clark; Alleghan, 100 tons, built in 1835 by

Robert Masters; R. C. Smead, 75 tons, 1839, by S. and A. Davis; Copley and Main built, in 1847, Rip Van Winkle, 235 tons; in 1848, Oxford, 244 tons, and the Palmyra, 180 tons; in 1851, A. L. Hazleton, 230 tons; in September, 1873, Mary Copley, 275 tons, owned by H. Copley, A. Wilcox, and J. Gilmore; in June, 1874, Water- town, owned by H. Copley, Folger Brothers, and W. W. Enos, of 309 tons burden ; in October, 1874, A. J. Dewey, owned by H. Copley, A. J. Dewey, and W. W. Enos, 270 tons, Captain W. O. Vincent; in June, 1874, was also launched the small steamer Edith Sewell, built and owned by Pluche Brothers.

Since 1835 the following vessels have been launched at Three-Mile Bay, the larger proportion having been built by Asa Wilcox; the aggregate tonnage of the vessels con- structed by Mr. Wilcox, between 1835 and 1852, amounted to 6410 tons, the largest having a ineasurement of 395 tons. In 1835, the Florida and Elon Bronson; 1836, Pennsylvania and Kentucky; 1837, Missouri; 1838, Pa- triot ; 1841, Asa Wilcox and Havana ; 1842, D. D. Cal- vin and Rocky Mountains ; 1843, Cambridge (brig), Em- pire, and Neptune; 1844, Cuba, Oregon, and (brig) Ontario ; in 1845, Milan and (brig) Hampton ; 1846, (propellor) Clifton, Champion (brig),, Iroquois, and Rio Grande ; 1847, Palmetto, Seminole, Portland, Acadia, and (brig) II. R. Seymour ; 1848 (brigs) Saxton and Ocean ; 1849, D. J. Scuyler ; 1852, Melrose ; 1853 (three- master) Hungarian; Mr. Wilcox also built many club boats and fishing boats. A few of the list of the vessels built by him since 1853 have not been obtained; he con- structed forty-eight vessels-at Three-Mile Bay, and other places-during his life-time ; in 1836 he built the Congress, on Pillar Point. In 1843 Seuyler and Powers launched the Col. Powers, at Three-Mile Bay, of 80 tons burden ; in the same year William Combs built the Bogart, having the same capacity. In 1845 E. Cline completed The Rush, of 52 tons, and Peter Estes the Breeze, of 100 tons. In 1832 S. Howard built the New York, of 80 tons, on Point Peninsula. In 1834 G. C. Rand built the William Buck- ley, 112 tons; in 1836 the Bancroft, and in 1837 the G. C. Rand, each of the same tonnage, and at the same place.

SCHOOLS.

The first school was started by Nancy Smith, in 1805, four years after the settlement of the town. This cultiva- tion of ideas was carried forward on the south side of the bay. Mention is also made of a school which was held in the reconstructed block-house, erected on Point Salubrious, -the block-house or fort taken down by the inhabitants in 1812, at the demand of British soldiers. The first com- missioners of schools were chosen in 1818, at the first town- meeting; the names of the commissioners were James M. Cran, R. M. Esselstyn, and Benjamin T. Bliss. Seven years later, James M. Cran and R. T. Lee were authorized to determine the boundaries of the school districts. (It will be remembered that these statements apply to the ter- ritory of Cape Vincent, as well as that of Lyme, until 1849.) Between the years 1824 and 1849, with two ex- ceptions, the town annually voted to collect by tax double the sum of money appropriated by the State for school privi-

450

HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY, NEW YORK.

leges ; in 1830 and 1831 the school tax only equaled the State appropriation. At a meeting of the present town of Lyme, held in February, 1857, a resolution was passed recommending the giving of $50,000 by the legislature of New York to the St. Lawrence University. Select schools have been maintained from time to time, some of which have been taught by men from college. At Three-Mile Bay a very handsome building has just been completed, at a cost of $3000. There are sixteen school districts in the town.

TEMPERANCE INTERESTS.

The first temperance organization was formed in a school- house on Three-Mile Point, about 1833. Joshua Lawton was chosen president, and Zenas Ellis secretary ; William McPherson, Sylvester Lawton, and a Mr. Johnson were other persons who are remembered as especially interested in its success. More than two hundred persons were induced to sign the pledge. After two or three years the organization hield its meetings in Chaumont. The first pledge was very easy in its requirements, demanding an abstinence only from distilled liquors ; all malt liquors, wines and ciders, new or old, could be used at each member's desire. But this ac- complished little or nothing for the good of temperance, and the pledge was finally put upon the true basis of a total refraining from all strong drinks. In 1844 the ses- sion of the Presbyterian church unanimously passed a reso- lution, that all persons presenting themselves for membership should be required to sign a pledge of entire abstinence from all intoxieating liquors as a beverage ; the session also voted to submit this resolution to the church for its approval.

In 1850 the Sons of Temperance had a lodge at Point Peninsula, ealled the " Polar Star," and numbered 545; at Three-Mile Bay was the "Northern Star," number 90, organized December 20, 1850; there was another named " Chaumont" at that village, with the number of 547. These gave place to the Good Templars, who organized a lodge on the 20th of December, 1866, and the nineteenth in the order of numbers. The Reform Club movement enlisted the community last spring (1877), with Chaumont and Three-Mile Bay as the centres of meeting ; the club at the bay is especially in a flourishing condition. These societies have had their ebbings, like all others of the country, but each movement has marked a decided gain for both body and soul.

RELIGIOUS.

The first Sunday-school was opened on Point Salubrious at an early date, but given up after a short experience. In 1835 there was no regular Sabbath worship at Chaumont, and the Lord's day-to use the language of one who has written concerning the fact-was " signalized more by muscular Christianity,-a development of the muscles by athletic games,-than by the worship of God.". This is more or less true of all new communities. There were three taverns at the village. In this state of things, Mr. Solon Massey moved to the place, and soon after started a Sabbath-school. Out of these Christian efforts grew the Presbyterian and Methodist churches ; at least, the first im- pulse was here. The Baptist organization was holding serviees chiefly in the western part of the town. And this

leads us to speak of the Baptist churches, one of which has been organized over sixty years.

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH.

In 1816 the Rev. Joseph Maltby, of Rodman, preached two or three months on Point Salubrious, and baptized eighteen persons. On August 12, of that ycar, a couneil of sister churches convened and recognized twenty-five con- stituent members as a Baptist church. Elder Elisha Mor- gan delivered the sermon. Among the original members were Stephen Fisher, Henry Horton, Abigail Horton, Amos Richards, Benjamin Bliss, George Coon, Nancy Coon, James Horton, and Nathan M. Kendall. Nathan Kendall, Stephen Fisher, and Eliphalet Peck were the first deacons, and were ordained May 2, 1822. Elder Thomas Morgan was the first pastor, but how long he served the people does not appear on the records.

On July 24, 1824, a branch society was formed on Point Peninsula, and meetings were held at the two above-named places, and at Chaumont, Pillar Point, North Shore, and Three-Mile Bay. Ashna Lawton was settled as pastor in 1832, and continued until November, 1837. In April, 1833, the name of the church was changed to the United church of Lyme. In 1834, eighteen members were dis- missed to the branch on Point Peninsula, and that became an independent organization. In the fall of this year (1834) six other members withdrew from the mother church,- Nathan M. Kendall, Nathaniel Wells, Martha Woodruff, Ada Shaw, Anna Pratt, and Ahitabel Shaw,-and on the 11th of the following February were recognized by a council as the Second Baptist church of Lyme. This was done in order to better accommodate the members at Three-Mile Bay and the North Shore. The new organization started with twenty-six constituent members ; and on February 10, 1838, the old church on Point Salubrious disbanded, and the new church took the name of the First Baptist church of Lyme, which it now bears.

John S. Whitman succeeded Elder Lawton in May, 1838 ; more than a hundred were added during his minis- try of a little more than five years. The first house of worship was erected in the village of Three-Mile Bay, in 1840, at a cost of two thousand five hundred dollars, and dedicated December 24, 1840. In November, 1843, R. T. Smith, of Pulaski, was settled as pastor, and served the church until March, 1846 ; during his pastorate thirty- five were received by baptism. The parsonage was built in 1844, and was subsequently enlarged and improved. Elder Lorenzo Rice was called May 1, 1846, and continued as pastor for five years. In March, 1849, he was assisted in a series of meetings by Rev. John F. Bishop, of Belle- ville, and one hundred and twenty-four additions were made to the church as a result of these revival labors. The membership was then two hundred and ninety-three, larger than it has been at any other time during its history. B. C. Crandall was the next pastor for two years, closing his labors June 1, 1853. In October, 1854, E. G. Blount served the congregation for six months, and was succeeded in May, 1855, by Daniel Dye; he remained four years, and twenty-five were baptized. After Mr. Dye came G. N. Harmon, who preached until April, 1864. J. S. Blandon

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HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY, NEW YORK.

was ordained pastor in October, 1864, and closed his labors in February, 1868. Then A. G. Dansford supplied the desk for five months, and was succeeded by D. C. Haynes, from May, 1869, to the following September. J. M. Beeman was next settled as pastor, in April, 1870 ; he died suddenly, Sept. 24, 1875, lamented by the com- munity. The present pastor is Rev. E. F. Maine, who was called from Adams Centre, and settled March 1, 1876. Up to the present date,-October, 1877,-twenty-three persons have united with the church under Mr. Maine. During the summer of 1874 the house of worship was rebuilt and enlarged, at an expense of two thousand eight hundred dollars. Daniel J. Scuyler has been clerk of the church since 1859. Adrian Van Woert, Daniel Herrick, Daniel J. Borden, and Zenas Ellis are the present deacons. The number of persons received into the church since the original organization, in 1816, has been 747; the amount of money expended for religious purposes has been about $30,000.

FREE-WILL BAPTISTS.

Not far from 1827, Elder Amasa Dodge formed a Free Communion Baptist church at Three-Mile Bay; this was succeeded by the Free-will organization on July 6, 1841, under the direction of Mr. Dodge and with the greater portion of the members of the free-communion body. At a meeting held in the house of William Northop, Dec. 18, 1843, a society was formed, with Charles Leonard, R. H. Bartlett, Henry Leonard, William Northop, and Charles Caswell, as trustees. A church building was erected in 1844. Succeeding Mr. Dodge, as pastors, were Elders Overocker, MeKoon, Samuel Padding, Hart, Griffith, Ab- bey Staples, and Hitchcock. Regular services have not been maintained for several of the later years, the pastor at Depauville making occasional visits and preaching. April 13, 1867, the society clected the following trustees to serve one year, or until their successors should be chosen : L. D. Ackerman, William Northop, A. J. Cooley, A. Hamilton, and James Reed. M. Hamilton is also clerk of the soci- ety, and these persons still hold (1877) their office.

THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

During the summer of 1831, Rev. Dexter Clary, John HIall, a licentiate, and a Mr. Wicks, who had the ministry in view, visited Chaumont, and went from house to house, talking and praying with the people concerning the great question of personal religion. Sincere in their efforts, the inhabitants received them with respect, a revival followed, and the Presbyterian church was at once organized. Two or three revival meetings each day were held for a little time, some in the school-house and the larger ones in a barn that is still standing on the north side of the bay. It was on September 22, 1831, that George S. Boardman and John Sessions met a number of the inhabitants in the school-house of the village, and organized the First Presby- terian church of Chaumont ; these ministers were a com- mittee sent out by the Presbytery of Watertown for the purpose, if they should find the way clear. The member- ship consisted of cighteen persons, fourteen of whom were women ; eleven of the eighteen persons bore the name of McPherson, but were from three different families. The

names of the original members were as follows: William McPherson, Mrs. Bathiah Williams, Hugh McPherson, James Horton, Adelia McPherson, Ellis Hill, Betsey Mc- Pherson, Fanny Hills, Janc McPherson, Sally McPherson, Lucy Hubbard, Lucinda McPherson, Nancy A. Mills, Mary McPherson, Betsey Trumbul, Hannah McPherson, Sarah McPherson, and May McPherson.

At this meeting of organization, Wm. McPherson was chosen a ruling elder. In November, 1835, Rev. George S. Boardman presided at a church meeting where Solon Massey was elected the second ruling elder, and when six persons made profession of their faith in Christ. This church struggled on for several years, with occasional preaching and the reading of sermons by Mr. Massey, to- gether with remarks and prayer by the brethren. The first death was that of Fanny Hills, in 1831. Seven years after the formation of the church, on Sept. 25, 1838, a meeting was held of the male members and perhaps of some others, at the dwelling-house of Solon Massey, when a resolution, pledging themselves, as individuals and as a church, to raise $100 for the support of such Presbyterian minister as can be obtained, for one-half the time, for one year to come, was unanimously adopted.

This was signed by Solon Massey, Hugh McPherson, David Burnett, Philip Beasom, and William McPherson. In the following year the services of Samuel Leonard were secured one-half of the time, and William Chittenden preached a part of 1841. In 1842 J. A. Canfield, then a licentiate, lived at Dexter, and divided his services between the two congregations. In 1843 he moved to Chaumont, and made the wider division of his strength and labors be- tween Chaumont, Three-Mile Bay, La Fargeville, and the neighboring school-houses; and afterwards at Depauville. Under these circumstances, it is not surprising that some of the people called him the " Presbyterian bishop of all north of Black river."

Meetings were held in the stone school-house until the ercetion of a church building, which was begun in 1843; it was dedicated Sept. 17, 1845. At this dedicatiory ser- vice Mr. Canfield was ordained and installed over the flock. The first trustees of the society, which was formed March 20, 1844, were Philip Beasom, Ozias Bander, and Jeremiah Bennet. It is probable that a house of worship would not have been built, at the time above named, but for the per- severance of Robert MePherson. After the people had donc themselves credit on the subscription book, only half enough money was pledged to meet the estimated expense. He decided, however, to go forward; framed the building himself; had the lumber sawed in his own saw-mill; and finally mortgaged his farm in order to obtain funds for the purchase of such material as paint, glass, and nails. When the church was done, the people willingly divided the debt with him, giving him their notes, to be paid in one year without interest.

Mr. Canfield preached in Chaumont twenty-one years, and was succeeded by William Campbell, who came in 1864; W. M. Hoyt in 1867; and E. G. Bickford in 1870. A large revival blessed the church under the Rev. Mr. Bickford; and in 1872, a fine parsonage was built. HIe left his charge in 1874, in order to become a foreign

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History of Jefferson County, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 112

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