History of Jefferson County, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 121

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 121

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

The land varied somewhat in price, but was generally sold at $3.50 per acre by Silas Stow, of Lowville, who, as the agent of Harrison and Hoffman, opened the town for settlement in 1801. In the spring and summer of that year, Anson and Ebenezer Moody, Jonathan, Noah, and Aaron Davis, Simeon Hunt, Benjamin Thomas, and Wil- liam Rice came in, built log houses, and made small elcar- ings. In September Mrs. E. Moody came to join her hus- band, and was the first white woman that settled in the town. A few months later she gave birth to a son, which was the first child born in Rodman. In accordance with a promise of Mr. Harrison to give 100 acres of land to the first-born child, the boy was named Walter Harrison Moody in honor of his prospective benefactor. The child died at the age of three years, before having received the land, but Mr. Moody soon after received a title for fifty acres. The Moodys remained citizens of Rodman for many years, and some of the younger members of the original families still live in the town. William Rice became a prominent citi- zen, but removed in the course of fifteen years. Simeon Hunt lived there until his death, about 1830; and the Davis families are well remembered by many citizens of the present time.

On September 4, 1802, Timothy Greenly, from Liteli- field, New York, purchased 26694 acres in the southeastern part of the town, at eighteen shillings per acre. He soon after moved upon a portion of his land, where he lived, a prominent, useful citizen, until his death, February 19, 1852. Thomas White, also from Litchfield, came in 1802, and settled on Sandy creck, at what is now Whitesville. He was a sub-agent for the town several years, and moved to the west in 1810. Daniel Todd, from Connecticut, came the same year, and settled near White's. He had seven sons, three of whom, David, Daniel, and Enoch 1 .. , still reside in the town. The elder Todd died in 1867. He was a respectable and useful citizen. William Dodge set- tled on lot 13 the year following, where he reared three sons, John, Chester, and Sylvester. The latter was killed in September, 1851, by being thrown from a wagon while

487

488

HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY, NEW YORK.

on the way to Watertown. A son, W. S., now resides on the homestead. Reuben Smith found a home on lot 13 this year. He was an active man, and built several mills. Among others who came to Rodman in that and the follow- ing year were John Peck, on lot 15; John Fasset, on lot 14, whose son John lives on the homestead ; Jonathan Wyman, from New Hampshire, on lot 12, where he died in 1823, leaving a son, O. C. Wyman, who was a member of the legislature ; and the Utleys, John and Nathaniel, who settled on lot 18; a son of the former now resides at Rod. man village.

The books of the land-holders show the following addi- tional names of those who contracted for land under date of December 1, 1804: Jesse Smith, Aaron Moody, Horaee Townsend, Joseph Nickles, Arnold Stone, Nathan White- man, Avery Wallsworth, Joseph Dana, Titus King, Thad- rick Case, Leonard Farewell, Joshua Tinney, John Vaughan, and Leonard Barker; and in 1805 Buel and Westcott, Nathan Freeman, Hawks and French, Pierce and Lampson, Wright, Mead, and others made purehases.

In 1807, Asa Cooley, from Whitingham, Vt., settled on lot 28, where he lived a life of great usefulness until his death, in March, 1854. Of his family, a son, Elam, is the only survivor. Abner Fuller made a home on lot 1 the same year. From 1804 to 1810 the town settled very rapidly, and it will be impossible to note all those who became eitizens. The Gates' were among the most promi- nent in the western part of the town, and have some repre- sentatives still residing there. Others who became well known were Ziba Buel, Stephen Cook, Jesse Wright, John Butterfield, John Burton, Jacob Heath, Nathaniel Harring- ton, Solomon, Joseph, and Job Priest, all of whom aided in developing the new town. Besides those already men- tioned the town books show the names of the following, who were in Rodman as active citizens prior to 1811 : Bazaleel Gleason, Roswell Blanchard, Luther Eastman, Peter Yandes, Beloved Rhodes, Cyrus H. Stone, Isaiah Post, Calvin Clifford, George H. Thomas, Elijah Russell, Enoch Murry, Caleb Woodward, Zachariah Wallsworth, Ephras Moody, Abel Loveland, Timothy Underwood, Abi- jah Kellogg, Stoddart Eastman, Nathaniel Tremaine, Greene Kellogg, Amarialı Babbitt, Heman Swift, Titus King, Luther Woodworth, Barnard M. Warren, Aaron Loomis, Reuben Tremaine, Ebenezer Blackstone, John Hacket, James Wright, Lyman Lawrence, Thomas Harrington, Nathan Whitman, Winslow G. Tracy, William A. Flint, Daniel Field, Daniel Kinney, Harry Wagoner, John Burr, Samuel Ralph, Joseph Pratt, Alanson Cummins, Charles Parmeter, Alvin Buck, Ansel Brainard, Benoni Edwards, Samuel Kelsey, Return Russell, Philo Booth, James Glass, Asa Hill. In 1811, Willard M. Winslow settled in the town; in 1813, William Sill; and about the same time Abel Cole and Nathan Strong, all becoming prominent in the history of Rodman, the latter two having been members of the legislature,-Cole in 1818, and Strong in 1832. Cole was also a judge in 1815.

This rapid settlement of the town prevented much of the hardship which usually attends the opening of a new coun- try, and nothing noteworthy transpired until 1813, when the town was visited by a severe and fatal epidemic, which

eaused the death of sixty persons within a period of three months. It was a species of pneumonia typhoides, and its attacks were so sudden and severe that death often ensued in a few hours. In about one-third of the cases the disease attacked the head, and in the remainder the lungs. While it was epidemic it was not contagious, but seemed to attack all, regardless of age, sex, or condition of life. This afflic- tion awakened the strongest sympathy, and a willingness to divide the burdens and misfortunes arising from it was manifest to an unusual degree. If any one was sick and unable to attend to his duties, his work was always done by the neighbors, who rallied in force for this purpose. Indeed, this neighborly feeling was generally prevalent. If one chanced to kill a deer or any of the game then common, the meat was uniformly shared among the neighbors, and the records of the town show that this spirit extended even to business transactions. A bank having failed, of whose issue the collector had a five-dollar bill, paid to him for taxes, the town voted that he should not sustain the loss, but that his account be credited with that amount. And other instances occur where this friendly feeling prompted to generous deeds. In 1826 it became known that the family of Wm. Glass was in destitute circumstances. It was accordingly voted that the town furnish a cow, from the proceeds of which they might procure the necessaries of life. The provision for the support of the poor, also, was ample, as is attested by the appropriations, $170 having been voted for this purpose in 1816.

EARLY TAVERNS AND STORES.

Simeon Hunt was the first inn-keeper. His tavern was kept in a log house at the mouth of the Gulf stream. It was the usual place for holding town meetings, and was a prominent point along the Sandy Creek road, between Zoar and Whitesville. About a mile below the latter place was a large frame hotel, kept at an early day by Benjamin Still- man. The building still stands, though unused. Michael IIenster and Joshua Priest kept a store on Dry Hill, in the early settlement of the country. The building which they occupied is at present used as a wood-house by Franklin Woodward. At this place Nathaniel Harrington laid a wager that he could lift a hogshead of whisky with two men seated upon it, which feat he successfully accomplished.

THE MANUFACTURING INTERESTS

of Rodman outside of its villages, though not numerous, are of sufficient importance to require mention. As early as 1809, Howe Nichols built a saw-mill, and later a small grist-mill, on Sandy creek, above Zoar, which did service for twenty odd years. Reuben Smith also built a saw-mill at Boyington's crossing, and after that was destroyed another farther down the stream, at the site of Todd's mill. He also had a potashery at the cross-roads.

Below Rodman a large building was erected about 1828, by the Union Company, or the "company of nine," for distilling purposes. A run of stone was placed in the building, and some grinding done. Later the distillery part was changed to a tannery by Joseph Davis, and as such operated ten or twelve years. In 1865 the mill was re- modeled and another run of stone added. Moses Slaughter

RESIDENCE OF LUMAN LOVELAND, RODMAN, NEW YORK.

, PHOTO WATERTOWN N.Y .

GEORG

RESIDENCE of S.H. & GEO. A.G

FES

, RODMAN , JEFFERSON CO., N. Y.

MRS. HARRY HARRINGTON

MARY HARRINGTO!

HARRY HARRINGTON ..

LOT ÍN CEMETERY.

RESIDENCE of HARRY HARRINGTON, RODMAN, JEFFERSON. Co., N.Y.

489

HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY, NEW YORK.

is the present proprietor, and the mill has a fair capacity. Near this place were Heath's saw-mills and cloth-works, built by Abram Burr, which were destroyed by a freshet, and not rebuilt. On Fish creek were several small mills, and there is one at present owned by D. Whitcomb.

Near the centre of the town, on Gulf stream, is a first- class saw-mill, having 10,000 feet capacity per day, and is at present owned by C. Hammond. In the southern part of the town a steam saw-mill was operated several ycars, but has long since been abandoned.

From 1820 to 1830, a number of distilleries were erected along Sandy creek and in the western part of the town by C. W. Mckinstry, W. J. Nichols, Hiram Slocum, Asa Davis, and others. They were only operated until a better market for farm crops was secured, and dairying began to engage the attention of the people. This is the present general industry, and the manufacture of butter and cheese forms an important item, and is the chief source of revenue. Private dairies abound, and there are several large and well- established cheese-factorics and creamcries. Of the former class, the West Rodman, by A. H. Heath, the Heaton, by Anson Miller, and the Loveland, by A. L. Loveland, are the most important, each making from thrce to five cheeses per day. Large creamcries are conducted by C. C. Vroman, Milan A. Fassett, E. L. Simmons, and H. C. Spencer, all noted for the excellent quality of their products, and each daily uses the milk of from 200 to 500 cows.

ROADS

were located along Sandy creek and to Burrville in 1801; and the " Dry Hill" road to Watertown was also located at an early day ; but it was not until 1809 that Sandy creek was bridged. A tax of $150 was voted at the first town- meeting, March 5, 1806, which seems to have stirred up so much opposition that a special meeting was called on the 16th day of April following for the purpose of reconsidering the vote, when the measure failed of being sustained, and several years passed before another appropriation was made. Thirteen districts were formed at the first meeting, with the following overseers: William Rice, Anson Moody, Bazabel Gleason, Roswell Blanchard, Joseph Dana, Luther Eastman, Timothy Greenly, John Fasset, Peter Yandes, Beloved Rhodes, William Dodge, Cyrus H. Stone, and Isaiah Post. A year later ten more districts were formed, making twenty-three in all, which have been subdivided until there are, at present, fifty-three districts. The streams are well bridged and the roads of the town are in a very fair condition.

CEMETERIES.

One of the oldest burying-grounds in the town is at the mouth of Gulf stream. Here the first interments were made, but as the ground could not be suitably enlarged, it has not been much used of late. The principal ground at present is Fairview. This is a beautiful tract on lot 28, containing three acres neatly inclosed with an iron fence and plotted into lots and drives. It is under the manage- ment of the " Fairview Cemetery Association," organized Aug. 9, 1863, with Elam Cooley, H. L. Eastman, S. W. Kellogg, Z. M. Brown, G. W. Flint, A. C. Hughes, C. C. Vroman, O. G. Hcaton, and Ora Cooley, trustees. The

present board is composed of Chas. S. Gage, Elam Cooley, Joseph Brown, M. P. Waite, H. L. Eastman, Charles Bibbins, Myron Babbitt, G. V. Parmeter, and Leonard Bullock.

A cemetery at Whitesville is controlled by David Todd, and is kept in good condition. A few other burial-grounds in the town are controlled by the town authorities, but are not much used.

CIVIL ORGANIZATIONS.

The first town-meeting of Rodman (then Harrison) was held at the house of Simeon Hunt on March 5, 1805, and resulted in the choice of the following officers : Clerk, George H. Thomas ; Assessors, Ozias H. Rawson, Cyrus H. Stone, William Rice ; Com. of Highways, David Nickles, Simeon Hunt, Calvin Clifford ; Constable and Collector, Peter Yandes ; Poor-Masters, Jonathan Davis, Robert Stewart; Fence- Viewers, George H. Thomas, John Fasset ; Pound- Master, Simeon Hunt.

The following have held the office of Supervisor since the incorporation of the town :

1805. Thomas White. 1806-9. Jonathan Davis. 1810-11. Enoch Murry. 1850. Alanson Tibbetts.

1812. Samuel C. Kanaday.

1851-2. George Gates.

1814. Abel Cole.

1853. Ora Cooley.

1815-30. Nathan Strong.

1854. John Pauling.

1831-2. William M. Winslow. 1855. Gains Tremaine.

1833-6. Ora Cooley.

1856. William Gilbert.

1837. George Gates.

1857. Ora Cooley.

1838. N. Strong.

1858-9. Oliver C. Wyman.

1839-40. Thomas Wait.

1860-3. Nathan Strong.

1841. Ora Cooley.

1864-5. Hiram H. Taylor.

1842. Henry C. Strong.

1866-7. O. C. Wyman.

1843. Herman Strong.

1868-72. William Christie.

1844-5. Henry C. Strong.

1873-4. Orrin D. Hill.

1846. William Sill.

1847. Dennis M. Wait.

1848-9. Benjamin F. Hunt.

1875-77. George A. Gates.

Important special town-meetings were held : Nov. 4, 1804, to choose delegates to attend a convention at Denmark, to consult on measures for the division of the county of Oneida (William Rice, Cyrus H. Stone, and Simeon Hunt were appointed). September 12, 1805, " to select a committee, to unite with the committee appointed by the other towns, to stick the stake for the seat of justice in Jefferson County." William Rice was appointed, and the assessment-roll ordered to be carried forward by him. February 8, 1806, to clect thrce justices of the peace. Titus B. Willard, Jonathan Davis, and Titus King were elected. January 12, 1807, to choose delegates to meet in a convention, on January 13, 1807, at the house of Joseph Clark, in Watertown, to take into consideration the military situation of the county. William Rice, Cyrus H. Stone, and Ebenezer Moody were chosen. May 19, 1846, to vote on the question of granting license,-152 voted "For License," and 177 for " No License." In 1847 the question came up again, when the votes stood, " For License," 176; "No License," 162. The courts having decided the law unconstitutional, the matter was not further tested. The present excise board does not grant license.

Interesting extracts arc made from the town records of the annual meetings :

490

HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY, NEW YORK.

In 1805 it was voted " that hogs be free-commoners, well yoked."

In 1806, " Voted, that every person in this town, letting or suffering a Canada thistle to grow on his inclosure the ensuing year, shall forfeit the sum of two dollars. That ten dollars bounty be given for every wolf killed."

In 1809, " That Noah Davis pay for his license pro rata for the remainder of the year. That the town relinquish a claim against Woodworth for killing deer. That a pound be built at the mouth of Gulf stream by Simeon Hunt and Abel Cole."

In 1811, voted, " That rams shall not run at large from September 1 to November 1, under penalty of forfeiture to the person taking them up. That the Merino ranis belong- ing to the town be sold by the supervisor and the assessors, and the money be used to buy standard weights and meas- ures."

In 1814 it was voted that there be a fine of $5 for cach offense for letting Canada thistle go to seed ; also a fine of $1 for letting tory weed (" stick-tight") go to seed.

In 1815, "Voted, that cattle be restrained from running at large near stores, shops, school-houses, and churches, under penalty of fifty cents for each offense."

In 1836, " That there be a bounty of ten dollars paid for every wolf killed in the town, and one shilling for every old crow killed between the 20th of March and the 1st of July."

RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES.

As near as can be determined, the first religious service in Rodman was conducted in the summer of 1802, by Rev. Woodward, a missionary, who preached on a week-day to a small audience assembled in the hut of Anson Moody. Other missionary efforts followed, and on the 22d of Sep- tember, 1805,

THIE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH

of Rodman was formed by the Rev. Ebenezer Lazelle, of Watertown, with the following members; Nathaniel Nichols, David Coy, Reuben Tremaine, Laura Tremaine, Aaron Loo- mis, Sallie Loomis, Willianı Dodge, Lydia Dodge, and Na- thanicl Crook. R. Tremaine and N. Nichols were appointed deacons. No regular preaching was had until the second Sunday in August, 1808, when the Rev. David Spear first preached, and was soon employed at a salary of $220. He was an energetic workman, and in the first nine months of his pastorate preached 125 sermons and rode 2400 miles. In September, 1809, he was installed, and continued pastor of the church until the fall of 1865, having been the spiritual guide of the church for fifty-seven years. In- stances of such a long pastoral relation are indeed rare, and no better evidence of his worth and esteem, earned by a life- time of daily precept, could be adduced than this long con- nection. Mr. Spear was born in Rupert, Vt., June, 1781, and was one of the first three Congregational ministers in the county, his compeers being the Rev. Dutton, of Cham- pion, and the Rev. Bliss, of Lorraine. After he had closed his ministerial carcer he moved to Mannsville to live with a daugliter, and remained there until his death. The chureli holds his memory in great estcem, and has perpetuated it

by placing his portrait in the house where he for so many ycars ministered. Mr. Spear was succeeded in 1866 by the Rev. A. B. Dilley, whose pastoral connection extended to 1873, when the Rev. Samuel Johnson came, April 1, and remained until April, 1877.

The church enjoyed a general revival in 1830-31, which resulted in an accession of eighty members, and from the original nine lias sprung a membership which aggregates more than six hundred. The present membership is about one hundred, which is united and harmonious, and the church is in a prosperous condition.

On July 17, 1809, the " Harrison Society," belonging with this church, was formed, with Reuben Tremaine, Jas. Loomis, Asa Davis, Simeon Hunt, Jonathan Wyman, and D. Eastman, trustees, and in 1815 built a frame church, 38 by 50 feet, in the southwestern part of the village of Rod- man. The society was organized on the 24th day of April, 1834, and the name changed to the " Congregational Society of Rodman." "The old church was replaced by a new house in 1850, which was dedicated in March, 1851. This was remodeled and repaired at an expense of several thousand dollars in the summer of 1877, and it is now a tasty and imposing structure, 40 by 61 feet, with a tower and bell.

A Sunday-school was organized in connection with the Congregational church about 1820. Its present member- ship is 130. John S. Sill is superintendent; Milton H. Cooley, secretary.

THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH.

"In the spring of 1811, about six or eight Baptists in town agreed to hold mectings on the Sabbath, as often as convenient, and to invite such preachers as might be pro- cured to attend, among whom was Joseph Maltby, who, on the 27th of March, 1812, formed, at the house of Benja- min Cole, a church of nine males and thirteen females. These, on the 10th of June, were duly fellowshipped by a council convened for the purpose by delegates from Rutland First church (Elder Solomon Johnson), Adams (Elder Timothy Heath), and Watertown (Elders Gill and Morgan) ; and Mr. Maltby was duly ordained as pastor. Isaac Benja- min, Joseph Cornell, Daniel Peck, and others have since been employed. The church was afterwards formed as a branch of the Adams church, and in November, 1844, it was reorganized as a separate church, on a petition signed by about fifty members. In 1822 a church was erected at Zoar, and December 11, 1822, a society was formed with Arnold Stone, Levi Heath, and Elisha Cook, trustees. On . the 6th of October, 1846, this was reorganized, with P. W. Dyer, John Nichols, and John W. Wait, trustees."*

The church enjoyed a prosperous carecr until about 1850, when came a period of decay, which so much diminished the membership that services were suspended, and most of those who adhered to the Baptist faith connected themselves with the church at Honeyville. To prevent the forfeiture of the property by disuse, a society was organized about 1854, with I. T. Burton, Henry Holcomb, Almanson Tib- betts, Laban Smith, and George Parker, trustees. A elaim for the ownership of the property followed, whichi, after a

# Dr. Hough.

RESIDENCE OF A . C. HUGHS, RODMAN, JEFFERSON CO., N. Y.

RESIDENCE OF D. M. TODD, EAST RODMAN, NEW YORK

RESIDENCE of CHAS. S. GAGE, RODMAN, NEW YORK.

RESIDENCE of DANIEL TODD, RODMAN, NEW YORK.

RESIDENCE OF N. A. WRIGHT, RODMAN, NEW YORK.

491

HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY, NEW YORK.

lengthy litigation, was decided to rest in the owner of the real estate upon which the building stood. The house has since been demolished, and the church which onee had two hundred and fifty members is known in name only. No other Baptist society exists in Rodman.

THE METHODISTS

had religious meetings in private houses and in the school- houses of Rodman at an early day. In 1829 the several elasses in the town became a circuit, and efforts were at once made to build a eliurch. A board of trustees, consist- ing of John Adams, Jonathan Boyington, Ebenezer Black- stone, Arthur Robbins, Anson Moody, Epaphras Moody, William Butterfield, Daniel Kinney, and Chauncey Davis, was appointed, and a church erected on Sandy creek, near Jonathan Boyington's, which was used for publie worship until 1858. In the mean time the elass at Rodman village, consisting originally of Alanson Kinney and wife, C. D. Mof- fatt and wife, James Brown and wife, I. Jenks and wife, Mrs. Thomas Field, and J. P. Billings, had become so large that it was thought best to ereet a church for its meetings. Accordingly, in March, 1848, " the First Methodist Episeo- pal Society" in Rodman village was formed, with Elam Cooley, Hiram Buell, John Buell, James W. Brown, Win- son D. Allport, Alanson Kinney, Isaae Jenks, Freeman Tuttle, and Almanzor Tibbetts, trustees. A very fine frame church was built in 1849, and dedicated by Bishop Janes. In 1876 it was enlarged and remodeled to its present com- modious size and beautiful appearance, and was rededieated January 15, 1877, by Bishop Peck. The membership of the church is one hundred and seventy-two, and the official board are J. P. Billings, Charles Bibbons, E. D. Boying- ton, Austin Boyington, George Butterfield, M. P. Waite, and M. C. Lewis, elass-leaders and stewards; and W. D. Allport, N. G. Cooley, Anson Miller, Chauncey Eastman, and J. P. Billings, trustees. A Sunday-school was or- ganized in this church, May 6, 1849, by the Rev. J. Love- lace, which has been continued sinee. J. P. Billings was among the first superintendents, and is the present ineum- bent. The membership of the school is one hundred and forty-six, and a library of three hundred and ten volumes is maintained.

The old church at Boyington's being out of repair, measures were taken to build a new church, either at that point or at Whitesville. The society convened its trustees, consisting of J. Gardner, Green Gardner, Seymour Plank, A. S. Kinney, J. Boyington, B. Fasset, C. D. Hill, C. P. Hill, R. D. Renfield, Oet. 27, 1857, when Whitesville was selected and the proper steps taken to build. The house was begun May 17, 1858, and completed Sept. 10 of the same year, at a cost of $2275. It is a frame structure, with a pleasing exterior, and will seat three hundred persons. The membership of the church is 52. The trustees in 1877 were Anthony Seidmore, Seymour Plank, Daniel Todd, David Todd, Alonzo Sissons, Job Eddy, Job Gardner, W. W. Corey, and S. P. Stoddard. A Sunday-school was established here in 1859. John Edwards is superintendent ; and the school has 45 members, and 150 books in its library.

Rodman eireuit ineludes both of these churches, and is served by a pastor residing at Rodman village. Among

those who have had charge of the work at these points are the following reverend gentlemen : Elisha Wheeler, John Lovelace, H. Chapin, William Tripp, M. Lyon, A. M. Smith, O. P. Pitcher, H. O. Tilden, A. C. Arnold, H. C. Abbott, S. P. Crosier, J. L Hunt, E. W. Jones, S. Dewey, S. F. Danforth, M. M. Riee, and M. N. Capron, the present pastor.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Jefferson County, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 121

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