History of Jefferson County, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 59

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 59

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On October 14, 1833, the "Burrville Society" was formed by persons of the Congregationalist, Methodist, and Universalist denominations for the purpose of erecting a Union church edifice. Dr. Craft P. Kemble, George M.' Jenks, and Elnathan Lucas were the first trustees. The next year a small house of worship was ereeted by this society at Burrville, at an estimated cost of $1550. This, it will be understood, was a secular society, merely having charge of the house, Watertown having captured the Burr- ville church. In 1834 a new Congregational church was organized at Burrville, which is still maintained. For many years the ehureh edifice was used by the three de- nominations before mentioned, but of late all but the Con- gregationalists have ceased to hold regular services there.

The town, which forty years before had been an unbroken forest, had now become one of the best cultivated and most fertile districts in the State. The village of Watertown, which was still a portion of the town, with its numerous manufacturing and mercantile establishments, furnished a ready market for the products of the surrounding farms,

233

HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY, NEW YORK.

but at the same time prevented the development of any en- terprise in that portion of the town which is now separate frotu the city.

The next event of any consequence, outside of the usual routine of agricultural prosperity, was the building of the Watertown and Sacket's Harbor plank-road, in 1848. About two and a half miles of it is the northwestern part of the present town of Watertown. It has sinee been turned into a macadamized road. It was followed by plank- roads radiating in almost every direction from Watertown village; in faet, there was at that period a general furor for plank-roads throughout the country. The Watertown Cen- tral plank-road ran from the village pavements south to Watertown Centre two miles, and was completed in August, 1849. It was designed to eonneet with a line of roads to Syracuse, but the early completion of a railroad prevented the eonsummation of the enterprise. The Watertown plank- and turnpike-road was finished in September, 1849, from the village east along the State road some three miles to the Rutland line. The Watertown and Great Bend plank-road, running for about the same distance along the south shore of Black river through the northwestern part of this town, was also completed in 1849. All but the last have sinee been maeadamized.

These enterprises were sueeeeded by a still more impor- tant one. In September, 1851, the Watertown and Rome Railroad was completed to the former village, running for about five and a half miles through the present town. In 1873 the Carthage, Watertown and Sacket's Harbor Rail- road company completed its road to the eity of Watertown, two and a half miles being in the town under consideration. In 1874 the same road was extended to Sacket's Harbor, which gives this town two and a half miles more of rail- road. Both roads are now leased to the Utiea and Black River Railroad.

All these enterprises contributed to increase the popula- tion of Watertown village, and by 1869 its numbers were sufficient to entitle it to a eity organization. Such an or- ganization was accordingly formed on May 8, 1869, leaving the town of Watertown with the boundaries described at the beginning of this chapter. By the census of 1870 the remaining population was 1377, by that of 1875 it was 1279.

The principal business of the town is dairying, though all kinds of grain ean be raised with great facility. There are five cheese-factories within its limits, turning out near forty thousand pounds of cheese yearly.

The principal history of Burrville has already been given. Its business has nearly all been absorbed by voracious Watertown. It now contains a grist-mill (the same erected in 1802), a saw-mill, an axe-helve factory, a harness-shop, a groeery, a hotel, a post-office, with a daily mail from both east and west, and about thirty houses.

The " Congregational Church of Burrville," the first

church at this point, has been mentioned in the previous sketch of the town. The present church was organized on February 14, 1834, by the Rev. David Spear. It was then composed of thirteen members from the First Presbyterian Church of Watertown, three from the Congregational Church of Rutland, and one from the Congregational Church of Smithville. The first deacons were William Lamson and Caleb Burnham .*

The names of the ministers are not given in the records, but as nearly as ean be aseertained they were as follows : David Spear, John Covert, Truman C. Hill, - Bellamy, Yale, W. W. Waleott, Frederick Hibbard, Alvin Par- melee, G. M. Jenks, W. W. Warriner, James Douglas, Richard G. Keyes, S. W. Chaney (seven years), A. B. Dilley, and Albert Lee. Mr. Lee offieiates at both Burr- ville and Rutland, as most of his predecessors have done ; the services at the former place being held at the Union house of worship erected in 1834, as before mentioned.

List of Supervisors of Watertown, from 1805,-the pre- vious records being destroyed : Corlis Hinds, 1805 to 1808, inelusive; Tilley Richardson, 1809 and '10; William Smith, 1811 ; Egbert Ten Eyek, 1812 to '19, inclusive; Titus Ives, 1820 to '26, inelusive; Jabez Foster, 1827 ; Titus Ives, 1828; Daniel Lee, 1829; Henry H. Coffeen, 1830 to '34, inclusive ; Orville Hungerford, 1835, '36, and '37 ; Joel Woodworth, 1838, '39, '40 ; Orville Hungerford, 1841 and '42; John Winslow, 1843, '44, and '45; Orville V. Brainard, 1846 and '47; George C. Sherman, 1848; Adriel Ely, 1849; Kilborn Hannahs, 1850; Orville Hun- gerford, 1851; Robert Lansing, 1852 ; David D. Otis, 1853 and '54; Adriel Ely, 1855; Willard Ives, 1856; Levi H. Brown, 1857; Henry H. Babcock, 1858; Ambrose W. Clark, 1859 and '60; David W. Baldwin, 1861; H. H. Babeoek, 1862; Edward S. Lansing, 1863 and '64 ; George A. Bagley, 1865 to '68, inclusive ; Wilbur F. Porter, 1869 ; John Winslow, 1869 (elected at a special meeting after formation of city); Charles Richardson, 1870 to '75, in- clusive ; Henry S. Barbour, 1876; Charles Richardson, 1877.

PRESENT OFFICERS : Supervisor, Charles Richardson ; Town Clerk, Burt W. Gifford ; Justices of the Peace, Amby H. Gragg, Orrin A. Graves, Dexter W. Jones, and Charles L. Cummings; Assessors, William C. Baker, Thomas E. Beecher, and Valora W. Smiley ; Commissioners of High- ways, Charles G. Rexford, Samuel Wilson, and Volney W. Hart; Collector, Jay White; Constables, Lester Hunger- ford, Thomas E. Beecher, and E. Collins Baker ; Auditors, Cornelius V. Losce, Chandler C. Chase, and Eugene Ilow- land ; Excise Commissioners, Albert Gurnee, Solomon H. Knapp, and Nathaniel N. Burnham ; Scaler, Wines R. Skeeles.

# The latter, who died in 1853, left a legacy of about two thousand dollars to the church in which he had officiated. The late Joseph Sawyer also left it a legacy.

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HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY, NEW YORK.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

EBENEZER TOLMAN

was one of a family of eight children of Ebenezer and Mary Tolman. His father was a native of Attleborough, Massa- chusetts, and a lineal descendant in the fifth generation from Thomas Tolman, who emigrated from England, and settled in Dorchester, Massachusetts, with his two sons, Thomas and John, in the year 1635. The family repre- sented in this sketch is descended from the latter of the two sons, John. His grandmother on his father's side, Mary, was daughter of Deacon Benjamin Slack, of Attle- borough, Massachusetts, a wealthy farmer. His mother was daughter of William and Sarah Clarke, William Clarke being a descendant of the celebrated Dr. Adam Clarke, author of "Clarke's Commentaries," and his wife Sarah (whose maiden name was Locke) a descendant of William Locke, who came to America in the year 1634.

His father, Ebenezer, Sr., was a carpenter and joiner by trade, and carried on farming to some extent, but gave his children as liberal an education as his means and the op- portunities would afford, and was not only a man of general intelligence, but representative in his pursuits in life. He was a soldier at the battle of Bunker Hill, and accom- panied Arnold on his successful expedition against Quebec, and was taken prisoner there by the British, and for an attempt to break out of prison was placed in irons, and kept in that way in prison several mouths. Upon his re-

lease he re-entered the army, and was appointed sergeant, but the endurance and privations were so great, his health failed, and he was obliged to leave the army.

He died December 27, 1838, aged ninety years.

Ebenczer, Jr., came to Jefferson County with his brother William, and sisters Betsy, Cynthia, and Mary, in the year 1817. Married Miss Hopeful Randall, of Massachusetts, May 5, 1816. To them were born seven children. He died February 7, 1875, having led a life of integrity of character and honesty of purpose. An active business man, respected by all who knew him.

His wife died March 23, 1845,-a woman amiable in her ways, patient in her labor, and consistent as a member of the church to which she belonged. Both she and her husband were members of the Congregational church at Burrville.

His son Augustus desires to place the engraved portrait of his father upon a page of the history of the town where he lived for nearly three quarters of a century.

Augustus was born 1818, and at the age of thirty-five, in the year 1853, married Miss Sarah Louisa Goddard, daughter of Nathan F. and Matilda Goddard, of Clayton, Jefferson County. They have two children, Charles A. and Luella A.

Augustus resides ou the old homestead.

HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY, NEW YORK.

235

LITTLE

ALEXANDER PARKER.

ALITTLE

MRS. ALEXANDER PARKER.

ALEXANDER PARKER

was eldest son of James and Martha Parker, who came to Watertown with their family in 1801. His parents were na- tives of New Hampshire, and at the time of the birth (Septem- ber 3, 1787) of the subject of this memoir resided in Ackworth, Cheshire county, New Hampshire. The family of which he was a member consisted of father, mother, and nine children, some of whom were born in the town of Watertown after their arrival. His father bought some three hundred and twenty acres of timber land, and with the help of his boys cleared up a large farm-a portion of which is now owned and occupied by the youngest son, James-on the road from Water- town to Brownsville. His father was one of the first officers of the Jefferson County Agricultural Society, obtained the first prize offered for fruit and best-cultivated orchard in the county, and made the first barrel of cider manufactured in the county. His father was a soldier of the Revolutionary War, but never had a pension, and three of the sons were in the battle of Sacket's Harbor in the late War of 1812-14. He was a member of Trinity church, Watertown, and warden of the same for many years. His father died in 1828, and his mother in 1841; the former at the age of sixty-tour, the latter at the age of seventy-two.

Alexander was fourteen years of age when he came to this county. At the age of seventeen he went on foot back to New Hampshire, and remained with his grandfather nearly one year, attending school. Returning to Watertown, he with his father bought fifty acres of land in Antwerp, which con- tained valuable ledges of rocks, with a view of manufacturing mill-stones from them. He was led to do this from the fact of his unele being a millwright and counseled him so to do, and together they built the first grist-mill erected in Jefferson County, which was located at Burr's Mills, Their manu- factured stones were taken in sleighs to Rochester and other marts of trade, and disposed of, yielding them a good profit. In the year 1808, January 15, he married Miss Betsey, daughter

of Deacon Oliver Bartholomew, of Watertown. Mr. Bar- tholomew was also one of the pioneers of the town, coming there in the year 1800 and settling near James Parker's.

Alexander and his wife lived in the rude log cabin so com- mon in that day in Antwerp for about one year, and returned to Watertown. Worked his father's farm for a few years, and in the year 1815 purchased a farm now just out of the city limits, occupied and owned by his youngest son, James A. Parker, and on which ix a fine brick residence, surrounded with trees of over a half-century's growth, all the work of his own hands in the days of his activity.

To Mr. and Mrs. Parker were born ten children, viz. : Horace, Emeline, Lewis, Daniel, Franklin, Cynthia, Charles, Eliza A., George, and James A. All are living except Dan- iel, who died September 1, 1876, aged sixty-two years.

While yet a young man he was considered by his towns- men a fit person to discharge the duties of the various town offices, and he always acquitted himself to the satisfaction of his fellow-citizens. He was for many years captain of the militia company of the town, and bore that title through life. He was in middle life connected with the Episcopal church in Watertown, and officiated as warden of that church for many years, and continued a member until his death, May 29, 1871.

His wife still survives him, and is now, in her eighty-second year, still active in body and mind ; and it may be said here that there is no person living who has been in Watertown so long as herself. Well and faithfully has she fulfilled her allotted destiny. She has in every sense of the word been a "help- mate" to her husband and her large family of children. Her numerous friends and all her acquaintances " rise up and bless her."

The youngest son, James A., married Miss Cornelia A., daughter of David and Asenath Burnett, of Cape Vincent, in the year 1856. They have six children living.

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HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY, NEW YORK.

Enuna , Türker

The subject of this sketeh was born in the town of Watertown, Jefferson County, New York, March 20, 1814. He was seeond son of a family of seven children of Cratus and Olive Parker. His father was a native of Berkshire eounty, Massachusetts, and his aneestors, on his father's side, of English deseent. His mother (whose maiden name was Fuller) was a native of Vermont, and came with her father to the town of Rodman when she was only four- teen years of age. Her father was among the pioneers of that town. His father came to Watertown in the first years of the century, and his grandfather was among the first settlers of the county.

He resided at home and worked on the farm, taking eare of his parents until he was of age. His father removed to the town of Adams when Jeremiah was only ten years of age. There he remained until he was thirty-three years of age, and returned to Watertown and purchased one hundred and ninety aeres of land, and subsequently making addi- tions thereto, until he was the possessor of some five hun- dred and forty aeres.

The old homestead is now occupied by his sons, Frank M. and Thomas C., and the land remains in the family as a monument of his ambition and toil.

In the year 1836, September 26, while living in Adams, he married Miss Fransina, daughter of Thomas B. and Rachel Kenyon, of Amsterdam, Montgomery county, New York. Her father and mother were both natives of Rhode Island, and lived during the last years of their lives with their daughter, Fransina Parker. Her father died at the age of eighty-five, in the year 1864, and her mother died 1847, at the age of sixty-eight. Jeremiah Parker was a

man of almost unexampled activity and perseverance, and what he aeeumulated was by his own exertions. Unaided and alone, and without any of the opportunities afforded at the present day for an education, he became one of the most judieious and intelligent farmers of his town and eounty. When only fourteen years of age, as an example of his untiring ambition, he actually eut one hundred and forty eords of three-feet wood for his grandfather, the eon- sideration being a sucking eolt, which in after-years, with its mate, was drowned in the St. Lawrence river, as he was crossing on the ice.

To Mr. and Mrs. Parker were born four children, viz., Alvira, died in infaney. Frank M., married Miss Maranda, daughter of Abel and Hannah Wilder, of Franklin county, Massachusetts ; they have two children, Nettie F. and Charles J. Thomas C. married Miss S. Imogene, daughter of Chauney and Clarissa Huntingdon, of Rutland; they have one son, Luman H. Ella D. died at the age of twelve years, in the year 1865.

In polities Mr. Parker was originally a Whig, but upon the formation of the Republican party joined its ranks. Never active in political matters, and never neglected busi- ness for any politieal preferinent. He held the office of ensign in the Patriot War of 1837-38, and at its close ranked as captain.

He united with the First Baptist ehureh of Adams in the year 1854, and remained a member of that body until his death, May 19, 1872. His wife and widow united with the same church, 1837, when only twenty years of age, still retaining her membership with that society. She now resides with her sons on the old homestead.

HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY, NEW YORK.

237

FRANCIS SMILEY.

The subject of this sketeh was born May 13, 1792, in the State of Vermont. He was the son of John and Eliza- beth Smiley, of New England birth, and whose ancestors were of Scottish origin.

When about nine years of age Franeis came to live with an uncle in Litehfield, Herkimer county, New York, and remained there until he was fourteen years of age, when his father and family having removed from Vermont to Jefferson County, Franeis also eame, and with his parents settled in the town of Watertown. His father died about 1812, and his mother about the year 1847. At the age of twenty-three, and in the year 1815, he married Miss Betsy, daughter of Shubael and Anna Adams, of Connecticut birth, but of the town of Watertown at the time of this marriage. She was born June 27, 1797. He first settled in Rutland after his marriage, remained there for only a few years, and after living at Burrville for one year, he re- moved to the west part of the town of Watertown, and settled on the farm now occupied and owned by his third son, Velora W. Smiley.

To Mr. and Mrs. Smiley were born five children, viz., Robison Eldridge, Alathea Jewett, Robert J., Velora W., and Elmina Lovilla.

All of these children are dead, except Robison E. and Velora W., the former at present connected with the Rome, Watertown and Ogdensburgh Railroad, as freight agent, which position he has held, for a large part of the time, for the past twenty-five years.

In polities Mr. Smiley was originally a Whig, but upon the formation of the Republican party joined its ranks. Coming to the county in the year 1806, Mr. Smiley was recognized among thie early settlers of the town of Water- town, and was known through his life as a man of integrity of purpose and uprightness of character.

He died February 16, 1875. His wife died October 13, 1869. Robison E. married Elizabeth Welch, of Water- town. She died 1850. For his second wife he married Sophironia B., daughter of the late Peter Doxtater, of Adams. Velora W. married Miss Harriet M., daughter of Austin and Minerva Everett.

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HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY, NEW YORK.

AUSTIN EVERETT

was born in Sharon, Connecticut, December 11, 1797. He was the son of Eliphalet and Rhoda Everett, who came to Jefferson County, and settled in the town of Watertown, on an adjoining farm with Franeis Smiley, one of the first settlers of the town. Eliphalet died March 27, 1815. His wife was a descendant of Deaeon Wm. Peek, who eanie to New Haven, Connecticut, in the year 1638, being of English birth. She died June 2, 1851. Upon coming to this country they took up one hundred and twenty-four aeres of timber land, which they began elearing of its origi- nal forest, and lived upon it until their death. Austin, second son and fourth child of the family of children, re- mained on the farm until he was of age, receiving only a very limited education from books. At the age of twenty- two he married Miss Hannah Moss, of Dorset, Vermont. This was in the year 1819, December.

To them was born one daughter, Harriet, June 30, 1822, who died in infaney.

His first wife dying, he married his second wife, Miss Minerva, daughter of Ezeriah and Martha Crandall, of Johnstown, New York. She was born August 16, 1809. By his second wife he had two children, Harriet M. and Elinore.

Harriet M. married Velora W. Smiley, son of Francis Smiley, one of the first settlers of Watertown. Their mar- riage took place January 17, 1849. They have two ehil- dren living, Fred. E. and Claire B., one having died, Charlie J., at the age of eleven years, March 26, 1865. Elmore Everett died at the age of thirty-seven, October 13, 1868.

Austin Everett was numbered among the pioneers of this county ; was held in high esteem by his townsmen ; held the office of under-sheriff, under John Fay as sheriff. In polities he was a Democrat, and quite active in his party.

Mrs. Everett still survives her husband, active in both mind and body.

HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY, NEW YORK.

239

ALITTLE

Wm Johnan

The subject of this sketch was born in the town of Nel- son, New Hampshire, November 7, 1795. He was the fifth child and third son of a family of eight children of Ebenezer and Mary Tolman. His father was a native of Attleborough, Massachusetts, a lineal descendant in the fifth generation from Thomas Tolman, who emigrated from England and settled in Dorchester, Massachusetts, with his two sons, Thomas and John, in the year 1635.

The family particularly represented in this biography is descended from the latter of the two sons, John.

His grandmother on his father's side, Mary, was daugh- ter of Deacon Benjamin Slaek, of Attleborough, Massachu- setts, a wealthy farmer.

His mother was daughter of William and Sarah Clarke, William Clarke being a descendant of the celebrated Dr. Adam Clarke, author of Clarke's "Commentaries," and his wife, Sarah (whose maiden name was Loeke), a descendant of Wil- liam Locke, who came to America in the year 1634. His father, Ebenezer, was a carpenter and joiner by trade, and ear- ried on farming to some extent, but gave his children quite a liberal education, and was not only representative in his agri- cultural pursuits, but as a man of general intelligence. He was a soldier at the battle of Bunker Hill, accompanied Arnold on his unsuccessful expedition against Quebec, and was taken prisoner there by the British, and for an attempt to break out of prison was placed in irons, and kept in that way a prisoner for some time. Upon his release he re- entered the army, and was appointed sergeant, but the en- duranee and privations were so great his health failed, and he was obliged to leave the army. He died Deecimber 27, 1838, aged ninety years.

Ebenezer, Jr., Betsey, Cynthia, William, and Mary eame to Jefferson County. William, at the time of his first visit to this county, was twenty-two years of age, remain- ing some four years as a laborer ; returned to Massachusetts, where he remained for six years. In the year 1827, Oe- tober 9, he married Miss Mary, daughter of Timothy and

Abigail Bancroft, natives of Massachusetts. Her father being a descendant of Thomas Bancroft, who emigrated from near London, England, to the town of Lynnfield, Massachusetts, in the seventeenth century, and died 1691. After his marriage he returned to Jefferson County, town of Watertown, and settled near where he now resides, and began securing a competenee for himself, and by judicious management and economy owns at the present time some three hundred and twenty-one aeres of valuable farming land. Mr. Tolman, although in his eighty-second year of age, is still active, but recently, on account of an injury received, has not engaged in his accustomed labor.

Very few of the men of Jefferson County ean look back through so many years and eite the various changes as Mr. Tolman. In polities he was first a Federalist, afterwards a Whig, and upon the formation of the Republican party joined its ranks and espoused its principles.

In the year 1841 he united with Trinity church at Watertown, ard has since remained a member of the same, and now is the oldest male member of the church. His wife, in the year 1835, united with the Presbyterian church at Burrville, and still retains her membership with that to-day.

To Mr. and Mrs. Tolman were born five children, viz. : Solon B., Cornelia A., Amanda Mary, and William Orville. The third child, Henry, died in infancy. Solon B. married Miss Lodusta Areher, and resides in the town of his birth, and is a farmer. Cornelia A. married Mr. L. T. Sawyer; have two children. He is a farmer in the town of Watertown. Amanda Mary is a resident of her native town. William Orville married Miss Mary Ophelia Bailey, of Watertown ; have three children, and is a farmer near his father.

The family of Tolman is among those families which make up the representative men of the town, and in which may be found that integrity characteristic of the old Puritan stoek, from whence they are descended.

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History of Jefferson County, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 59

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