History of Jefferson County, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 113

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 113

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HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY, NEW YORK.

missionary, and is now stationed at Marash, Turkey, as a theological professor. The present pastor is 'Rev. P. Bar- bour, who entered upon his work in the spring of 1874. The present prosperity and number of the membership has not been exceeded in the past. The elders of the church are William McPherson, Abram Van Doren, Morris J. Cary, John Dingman, and Charles M. Knapp; the trustees of the society are Peter Van Doren, Hiram Copley, and Daniel Fish.

METHODIST CHURCHES.

There are three churches of this denomination in the town of Lyme, the first being organized in 1834, on Point Peninsula. Hiram Shepherd and Freeman H. Stanton, then on the Cape Vincent charge, were appointed by the conference for this purpose; these ministers formed the class in the aforcsaid year, with James Cooley as class- leader. This station was supplied for several years with preaching from the Cape Vineent pastors, but was subse- quently made an independent charge. The society has never owned a house of worship, but good accommodations for religious services have been provided. The following are the names of the preachers who have eultivated this field ; only the year when they entered upon their labors is given : Lyman Ackerman, 1835; Hiram Shepherd, 1837; O. Squires, 1838; Sylvester Bishop, 1839; Ira Corbin, 1841; Leonard Deckins, 1842; Silas Slater, 1844 ; George Plank, 1845; Thomas B. Brown and John R. Lewis, 1846 ; Thomas Brown, 1847 ; John B. Cocaigne, 1848; L. D. Ferguson, 1850; Josiah Zimmerman, 1852; Browning Nichols, 1854; Cyrus Phillips, 1856; Father Pennock, 1857 ; Peter G. Kenney, 1858; A. Fradenburgh, 1860; Ross C. Houghton, 1861; George W. Calkins, 1862; Chauncy Simmons, 1863; W. S. Lewis, 1864 ; Chauncy Simmons, 1865; Mr. Abbey, 1866 ; Chamberlain Phelps, 1867 ; W. W. Totheroh, 1869; Peter Bullis, 1870; Eugene Waugh, 1871; C. N. Higby, 1872; D. W. Aylesworth, 1873; U. S. Hubbell, 1874; D. W. Aylesworth, 1875. The present pastor is Peter La Clair, who entered upon his labors in 1876. The present officers of the church are Nelson L. Enders, leader ; A. B. Dingman, Timothy Fox, James H. Wiggins, Abram Roof, Anson Hewitt, James W. Enders, D. C. Holbrook, and Aaron Brougham, stewards ; N. L. Enders is recording steward.

The territory now embraced in "The Three-Mile Bay charge" was formerly included in the Cape Vineent eircuit. The first class was formed at the bay in 1839, composed of the following-named persons: David McCom- ber, Eliza MeComber, Benjamin Manning, Abigail Man- ning, and Prudenee Caswell, all of whom are now dead, except Mrs. McComber. Reverends William Tripp and Corbin were on the eircuit when the class was formed. In 1846 the Thice-Mile Bay circuit was formed, embracing Point Peninsula, North Shore, Fox Creek, Burnt Rock, Chaumont, and Three-Mile Bay. Reverends J. R. Lewis and Thomas Brown were the preachers in charge. They were followed by Rev. Wm. Tripp, who remained one year Under his pastorate the parsonage commenced by the so- ciety was finished. Succeeding him was Rev. Mr. Cocaigne, who remained two years. During his pastorate an arrange- ment was made with the Free-will Baptist society, by

which the use of their church was obtained one-half the time for the Methodists. Mr. Cocaigne was followed by Rev. L. D. Ferguson, who also remained two years, when Rev. J. Zimmerman succeeded him, and likewise remained two years. During his time of service the society changed the place of meetings from the Baptist church to Union Hall, which had formerly been the ball-room of a hotel. Rev. B. Nichols came next, and had charge of the society for two years. Under his administration the society erected the church which it now occupies. Following Mr. Nichols were Rev. Cyrus Phillips, two years ; Rev. - Castle, two years; Rev. E. Wheeler, one year ; Rev. S. Griffin, . who died before his term expired ; and Rev. Chauncy Sim- monds, a local preacher, who filled Mr. Griffin's unex- pired term. Succeeding him were Rev. G. D. Greenleaf, two years ; Rev. Ross C. Houghton, two years; Rev. Chamberlain Phelps, two years; and Rev. Isaac Turney,. who resigned his charge before his term had expired, and was succeeded by Rev. Chauncy Simmonds, who remained three years. During his term he commeneed raising funds to build a church at Chaumont, which was erected by his suceessor, Rev. D. W. Aylesworth, who also remained three years, and was followed by Rev. L. B. Noulton, the present pastor. The eharge has been reduced from time to time by the formation of new charges from its membership at Point Peninsula and St. Lawrence (formerly Crane's Cor- ners). The present charge embraces Three-Mile Bay and Chaumont, and occupies a very respectable position among the various charges of the conference. The present trustecs are Geo. McPherson, Le Roy Reed, Peter Bellinger, B. F. Lucas, Johnson Simmonds, and C. D. Hayes. The present class-leaders are C. H. Hamilton and Stephen. Curtis.

On December 13, 1839, a Methodist class was formed at Chaumont with nineteen members. For many years meet- ings were held in the school-house, and the station was con- nected with the Depauville charge ; afterwards, until 1874, services were conducted in the town hall by the preacher from the bay. On August 26, 1872, the church and congre- gation met in their accustomed place of worship and de- cided to enter upon the work of building a church. A soeicty was formed at this meeting, with the following trustees: G. W. Pennoek, Stephen Jaquay, Joshua Main, Jacob R. Horton, and Chester O'Connor. Stephen Jaquay was chosen scc- retary, and has held the office to the present date; the present stewards (1877) are R. E. Horton, G. W. Pennock, Chester O'Connor, and Charles Atwood ; the class-leaders, Stephen Jaquay and Samuel Watrous. During the sum- mer of 1874 the church building was ereeted, and on the 9th of September, with very interesting services, dedieated to the worship of Almighty God. It is valued at six thou- sand dollars, and, as already stated, the congregation is sup- plied each Sabbath with one preaching serviee by the resi- dent pastor at Three-Mile Bay. The present trustees are as follows : G. W. Pennock, Riley Horton, R. W. Higgins, S. Jaquay, and Addison Van de Walker.

UNIVERSALIST.

The first Universalist society was organized on the 8th of September, 1850. David Bowman, Elijah Graves, and Andrew Inman were made trustees. Preaching has been

453

HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY, NEW YORK.

irregular. There is no ehureh building, and at the present date there are no services of any kind.

CEMETERIES.

The first burial-ground near Three-Mile Bay was on a point of land east of the village and near the water. The present grounds are west of the village. There is also a burying-ground on Point Peninsula. At Chaumont the old burial-place is on the north side of the bay and several rods baek from the turnpike. On June 14, 1873, at a meeting in the office of Hiram Copley, the Cedar Grove Cemetery Association was formed, with the following trus- tees : Ira Inman, A. J. Dewey, De Witt Copley, George Swind, O. C. Taft, Abram Van Doren, William Dillenbeek, J. C. Pluche, and Dr. E. B. Pratt. The grounds contain about two aeres, and are pleasantly situated a little south of the village, overlooking the water of the bay. The first president was De Witt Copley. Dr. H. W. Jewett is the president at this date, and William Dillenbeek is see- retary and sexton.

POINT SALUBRIOUS MINERAL SPRINGS.

About two years ago (in 1875) Mr. Alvah W. Warner discovered mineral water while drilling a well to obtain water for use in his family. Reaching a depth of seventy- four feet he obtained an abundant supply, but found it useless for cooking purposes. There was likewise a strong mineral smell and taste to the water. Its color also in- dieated its character. Many persons drank of it, and be- lieved they were benefited by its medicinal properties. After about two years, the well seeming to be inexhaustible, Mr. Warner had Theodore Deeke, special pathologist of the New York State Lunatic Asylum, at Utica, make a thorough chemieal analysis of the water, in March, 1877, and the following result was reached (Mr. Deeke having visited the well in person) :

"The mineral water is of excellent quality, as the chemical an- alysis shows, and belongs to the saline sulphur water. From the large amount of chloride of sodium, chlorido of magnesium, sulphate of soda, and sulphurctted hydrogen, and the small amount of sulphate of lime, its action upon tho system, when taken in proper quantity, will be cathartic. The internal use of tho water will be of value in the treatment of gout and chronic rheumatism, and in cases of cn- gorgement of tho liver. . . . Used both internally and externally, it will prove a trustworthy remedy in diseases of the skin. Tempera- ture, 44º Fahrenheit."

The location of the springs is two miles from the village of Chaumont, on the shore of the bay, and in the neigh- borhood of good fishing. It may yet become an extensive summer resort. Mr. Warner has already made arrange- nients to put up a large house, ready for visitors and boarders next summer.

VILLAGES.

Wilcoxville is situated on Point Peninsula (the latter name being the post-office address), and contains mechanie- shops, a store, a hotel, and about fifteen dwelling-houses. The peninsula itself contains nearly 7000 acres of exeellent farming soil, and is connected with the mainland by a neek 120 rods long. A portion of this isthmus is very narrow, and high water has been known to wash over it. Wilcox ville is thirteen miles from Three-Mile Bay by land, and about six miles by water.

Three- Mile Bay is three miles from Chaumont and seven from Cape Vineent. There are now 2 groceries, 4 stores, a steam-mill, a hotel, 3 churches, 3 physicians,-Chas. Parker, C. B. Walrad, and Dr. Loueks,-warehouses, wharves, and about 75 dwellings. It is a mile south of the railroad depot. The " Dominion Telegraph Company" opened an office at the village, Feb. 3, 1873, with John Combs as operator ; the " Montreal Telegraph Company" opened their office at the railroad depot, about July 1, 1873, C. M. Van Woert, operator.

Chaumont contains 100 dwellings, 5 stores, shops, one hotel, excellent steam-mills, a warehouse and wharf, and the usual places of mechanical business found in villages of this size. On May 16, 1874, Chaumont was incorporated by a vote of 53 to 8, and covers a little less than 450 aeres. The charter elcetion was held in the following month, and resulted in electing J. E. Phelps, president ; A. J. Dewey, W. W. Enos, and Daniel Fish, trustees ; William Dillen- beck, treasurer; William Shall, collector; O. S. Wileox, clerk ; John W. Horton, commissioner; S. M. Byam and Thomas Dulmage, police constables ; W. H. Main, police justiee, and V. Getman, pound-master. In 1875, a tax of $350 was raised for the improvement of the village streets. The present officers are A. J. Dewey, president; W. Crumb, E. Dennison, and R. E. Horton, trustees ; O. S. Wilcox, clerk ; Daniel Fish, treasurer, and Childs MePher- son, collector. The presidents of the village up to date have been J. E. Phelps, 1874 ; R. E. Horton, 1875; Hiram Copley, 1876, and A. J. Dewey, 1877. The " Montreal Telegraph Company" opened an office here in December, 1868,-Daniel Fish, operator. The " Dominion" line opened an office April 14, 1870,-Charles MePherson, operator.

MASONIC

Lodge, No. 172, F. & A. M., was instituted Jan. 30, 1850, with eleven charter members. The present officers are W. H. Main, W. M .; James Herrick, S. W .; G. W. Lueas, J. W .; G. W. Pennoek, treasurer; F. C. Dewey, secretary ; Levi Perry, S. D .; John Combs, J. D. ; James Yoran, Tyler; Barney Graves and B. F. Lueas, Stewards ; Rev. C. Simmons, Chaplain ; S. M. Byam, Marshal ; O. V. Hewett, O. C. Taft, and A. J. Dewey, Trustees. The Masters of the lodge from the date of organization have been as follows, the first year of elcetion only being given : Frederick Bell, 1850; P. P. Gaige, 1851; Frederick Bell, 1852; G. W. Pennock, 1855; P. P. Gaige, 1856; Frederick Bell, 1857 ; James Yoran, 1858; Joshua Main, 1860; G. W. Pen- noek, 1863; Joshua Main, 1864; S. M. Byam, 1865 ; J. E. Phelps, 1866 ; George W. Peunoek, 1867 ; J. E. Phelps, 1868; Joshua Main, 1869; James Yoran, 1870; J. L. Rogers, 1871; W. O. Thompson, 1872; W. H. Main, 1874; S. M. Byam, 1875, and W. H. Main, 1876. The lodge now numbers about one hundred members, and their room is fitted up over the town hall.

POPULATION.

In 1820 the town of Lyme had a population of 1724 persons ; in 1830, 2882 ; in 1845, 6018 ; in 1850, the next year after the ereetion of Cape Vineent, the population was 2925, and in 1875 it was 2244. E. H. P.

ORLEANS.

IMPROVEMENTS commenced in this town about 1806 by persons who came on, without acquiring title, and took up lands ; there being no resident agent, and a partial and im- perfect history of the title having gained currency, the be- lief became general that there was no legal owner of the tract, which, for several years after the war, led great num- bers, chiefly of the poorer classes, to select land and make locations. In this they were governed by nothing but their own choice, selecting some spring or stream of water for the vicinity of their dwellings, and appropriating such lands to their own use as they might choose to claim. These squatters, who had adopted a kind of regulation among themselves in relation to lands, were accustomed to make " possession lines" by lopping down bushes, and bought and sold " claims," giving quit-claim deeds for the same. Few permanent improvements were made, the settlers mostly living in log huts, and engaged in getting out oak staves and square timber, making potash, or in cultivating the soil in a most slovenly and careless manner. As a natural con- sequence, this unprincipled course invited thither crowds of adventurers from various quarters,-many from the Mohawk country ; rough, hardy, and enterprising, with nothing to lose and everything to gain, accustomed to rough fare and rude accommodations, yet in many respects just the class to reduce a wilderness. Schools were established, and religious societies organized, a few years after settlement.

In 1807, John Wilkes, one of the proprietors, visited the tract, and is believed to have been the first of the owners who traversed it. Being unaccustomed to the fatigue of traveling in the forest, he returned home dis- gusted with it, and for several years there was no legalized agent in the county. In 1817 (October 17) the following settlers took contracts on lots numbers 66, 75, 86, 87, and 95, near Stone Mills, in which vicinity A. M. Prevost held lands, and had appointed Elisha Camp, of Sacket's Harbor, as his agent : Asa Hall, Richard Taylor, Frederick Avery, Benjamin and John Taylor, Wm. Collins, Samuel Linnel, Solomon Stowell, Lester White, Roderick C. Fraser, Wm. Collins, Jr., Leonard and Blake Baldwin, Isaac Mitchell, John B. Collins, John Smith, Ebenczer Eddy, Shepherd Lce, Thomas Lee, Thomas Lee, Jr., Ebenezer Scovil, Wm. Guile, Wm. Larrabe, Warren Hall, Henry Arnold, Am- brose Adams, and John Page. The contracts ran for seven years, and the lands were rated at $5 per acre.

In 1821, certain of the settlers, not being sure of the validity of Penet's title, petitioned the legislature to author- ize the attorney-general to examine the title. We subjoin the attorney-general's report :

"The attorney-general, to whom was referred the petition of a number of the inhabitants of that part of the town of Brownville, in

the county of Jefferson, called Penet's Square, respectfully repre- sents :

"That the petitioners state that the tract of land called Penet's Square is situate in great lot No. IV., of Macomb's Purchase, and contains 64,000 acres. That the title to these lands is ' to the public generally, and to the petitioners in particular, altogether uncertain ;' and that there are on the said tract about 320 families, or those ' who have been induced to take contracts of the pretended agents of pre- tended proprietors ;' and that great improvements have been made on the same tract of land, and that the inhabitants of the same tract are very solicitous to ascertain the real title to the same. Tbe peti- tioners therefore pray, first, that some resolution or law may be passed that shall force those who lay claim to said tract of land, to put the evidence of their title on the records of the county of Jeffer- son ; and, second, that the surveyor-general, or the commissioners of the land office, may be directed to report ' such information as they may possess relative to the title of the said lands.' As to the first request of the petitioners, it is presumed that it is not expected of the attorney-general that he should give any opinion as to the propriety or expediency of granting it; but, as to the second, the attorney - general has no means of ascertaining the true title to the land in question, any further than what may be derived from an examination of all records in the office of the secretary of state. The attorney- general finds in such examination that the said tract called Penet's Square is not, as the petitioners express, a part of Macomb's Pur- chase, but a separate tract, grauted by the State to Peter Penet by letters patent, dated the 19th of November, 1789, and the whole of said tract, except 21,000, appears to have been conveyed by the said Penet to one John Duncan, formerly of Schenectady. How the title to the above lands bave been subsequently conveyed, or whether the same remains with the said Duncan or bis heirs, the attorney-general has no means of ascertaining.

" All of which is respectfully submitted, " THOMAS C. OAKLEY, Attorney-General."

A considerable portion of Penet's Square had become the property of John La Farge, who had been engaged in the firm of Russell & La Farge, as a merchant in Havre, and in the course of his business had purchased a portion of these lands. He subsequently resided several years in New Orleans, and about 1824 came on to assert his title to this tract, but the settlers had, from the previous confu- sion of claims, at first but little confidence in his title. In 1824 a meeting was held at Stone Mills, at which a com- mittee was appointed to investigate the question, in order to decide what reliance might be placed in his clainis, which resulted in little good. In 1826, two or three persons claiming title under Hyppolite Penet, brother of Peter Penet, the original patentee, appeared at La Fargeville, called a meeting of citizens, and stated their claims, but with no further effect than to impair the confidence of some in the pretensions of others. After considerable more litiga- tion, the lands again reverted to La Farge, who finally re- moved to New York, appointing Dr. John Binsse, of Water- town, his agent, and has since been engaged in heavy financial operations. After the dethronement of Louis Philippe he was made the agent of that unfortunate prince

454

MRS. MARCUS W. NELLI S.

CHEESE FACTORY.

RESIDENCE & DAIRY FARM

THE OLD HOME.

MARCUS W. NELLIS.

MARCUS W. NELLIS, ORLEANS, JEFFERSON CO., N.Y.

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HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY, NEW YORK.

for investing funds in American stocks. The surface of the town is level or slightly rolling; soil, elay and loam. Outcroppings of stone are found in some parts of the town ; in spots the barren rock is exposed to view, although in most places covered with soil, which is generally fertile and productive.

THE EARLY SETTLEMENT,

as stated above, was commenced in Orleans as early as 1806, but no records exist whereby we can determine who made permanent and legal locations prior to 1817. In that year Jonas Everett and his son Brainard, the present super- visor, came in and settled on the farm now occupied jointly by his son Brainard and his son-in-law, Judson Marshall. The same year Isaac Niles arrived and took up his residence on the farm now occupied by George Wilder and Michacl J. Hughes, and known as the old La Farge place. James Gloyd also came in about this time, and after remaining some years removed to the town of Lyme. Also Ebenezer Eddy, who came from Connecticut, and settled on the farm now owned by Thomas Lee; and Leonard Baldwin, who settled on the place upon which he still resides.

In 1819 Peter Rhines came in, and was elected the first town clerk .* He also held several other town offices. He was the grandfather of Foster Rhines, of Watertown. The same year, Stephen Scovil came in and settled on the farm he now occupies, located two miles southeast of La Farge- ville. His brothers, Ebenezer and Hamilton Scovil, also came at the same time. In 1820, Joseph L. Buskirk, ac- companied by his wife and four sons, came in and settled on the farm now owned by Andrew Baltz and occupied by Singer H. Marsh. A. Buskirk, one of his sons, is now a resident of the town of Clayton. He has now lived in Jefferson County fifty-seven years. John W. McNett, Esq , agent for La Farge, arrived this year, accompanied by his brother, James C., who was the first elder of the Presbyterian church at La Fargeville. They located at Rixford's Corners, which was, at that time, the village.

A prominent pioneer, and one of the oldest in point of settlement, is Josiah L. Nash, who came in 1820 with his father, Henry S. Nash, and settled on the farm he now occupies, within sight of La Fargeville.

R. T. Jerome came in from Rutland, this county, where his father settled in the year 1800. He located, in 1823, on the farm now owned by John A. Snell. Ile now resides in La Fargeville .* Among other early settlers were M. S. Tan- ner, Henry Heyl, John Tallman, William Whaley, Peter P. Folts, Lyman Brittin and his sons, George S. and Otis N. Brittin, Thomas and Abner H. Evans, Merchant Carter, father of Taylor, Hiram, Byron, and John Carter, Nathan Halloway, David Gregg, Joseph Rhoades, Adolphus Pickard, John Monk, Moses Lyman, - Rixford, Nicholas Smith, - Barrett, Caleb Willis, M. Contreman, William Collins. The names in italies are those of persons who served in the War of 1776. We have been unable to glean infor- mation of any of them except William Collins, who was born in Stonington, Conn., in the year 1758. He en- tered the American service in 1774, being then 16 years

of age. In 1806 he removed to Brownville, this county, and from thence in 1837 to Orleans, where he remained till his decease, which occurred in September, 1850, at the good old age of 92 years. Many of his relations are resi- dents of this town; among them Mrs. A. Baxter, of La Fargeville, and several grandchildren in the vicinity of Stone Mills.

CIVIL ORGANIZATION.

This town was erected from Brownville, April 3, 1821,t embracing Penet's Square and all north of this and west of a continuation of the line between lots Nos. 6 and 7 of Penet's Square to the St. Lawrence. The first town-meet- ing was directed to be held at the house of Harvey Bout- well. Much difficulty and strife had existed for several years, with regard to the location of the town-meetings in Brownville, that led to the erection of Orleans, which name was suggested by the celebrity which New Orleans had ac- quired at the close of the war. By an act of February 6, 1840, all that part of Clayton north of Orleans and east of the north and south division line between Clayton and Or- leans, extending from the northwest corner of Orleans to the St. Lawrence, was attached to the latter town, together with a part of Wellesley island and all the smaller islands which would be embraced by a line running from the ter- mination of the aforesaid division line between Clayton and Orleans ; thence through Eel bay, around the head of Well's island,¿ to the Canada line. All that part of Alex- andria west of a line running N. 42° W. from the corner of Orleans was also annexed to the latter town. This last was restored to Alexandria, April 12, 1842.

The carly records of the town having been destroyed, we }- are unable to give the first town-officers. The subjoined list contains the names of the supervisors, with exception of four years,-from 1828 to 1832,-which were unobtain- able : 1822-23, Amnos Reed; 1824-26, Wm. H. Angel ; 1827, Woodbridge C. George; 1828, Jesse S. Woodward ; 1833, Chesterfield Persons (at a special meeting); 1834, William Martin; 1835, Peter Dillenback ; 1836, Chester- field Persons ; 1837, Daniel C. Rouse; 1838-39, John B. Collins ; 1840, C. Persons ; 1841, Peter P. Fults; 1842, James Green ; 1843, Edmund M. Eldridge ; 1844, Abram J. Smith ; 1845, Loren Bushnell; 1846, A. J. Smith ; 1847, D. C. Rouse ; 1848-49, John N. Rottiers ; 1850- 55, Hiram Dewey ; 1856-58, Luther Samson ; 1859-60, John Tallman ; 1861, Hiram Dewey; 1862-63, Jerome Bushnell ; 1864, Pliny Newton ; 1865, Russell B. Biddle- com ; 1866, Jerome Bushnell (Sept. 24, R. B. Biddlecom, remainder of term by appointment); 1867-69, R. B. Bid- dlecom ; 1870, Pliny Newton ; 1871, Mayland F. Ford ; 1872, Pliny Newton; 1873, Timothy D. Flansburgh ; 1874-76, Pliny Newton ; 1877, Brainard Everett.

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History of Jefferson County, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 113

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