USA > New York > Lewis County > History of Lewis County, New York; with...biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 73
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The executors under the will, were James Constable, H. B. Pierrepont and John McVickar. The first two gentle- men made persevering efforts to open roads and induce settlements. We give elsewhere some interesting ex- tracts from the diaries of Mr. Con- stable, from 1803 to 1806. He died in 1807, and Mr. McVickar died in 1812. Mr. Pierrepont continued his labors till the settlement of the estate in 1819, when he purchased the remaining in- terest of the heirs of Mr. Constable. The lands in Lewis county, he became possessed of, were townships Nos. I and 2 West Turin, 3 Montague, 4 Martins- burgh, with part of No. 5, and No. 8 and 13 Osceola, and parts of Denmark and Harrisburgh ; comprising one hun- dred and fifty thousand acres. On the death of Mr. Pierrepont, in 1838, these
lands were sub-divided among his heirs.
In concluding our notice of Mr. Con- stable, which we have somewhat ex- tended, from the connection which his history necessarily has with the history of Lewis county, we will add a delinea- tion of his appearance and character as portrayed by that venerable and dis- tinguished jurist, the Hon. Ogden Ed- wards :-
" William Constable was truly one of nature's noblemen. He was a man of sound comprehension and fruitful mind, of high-toned feelings and vivid imagi- nation. He saw clearly, felt keenly and expressed himself pungently. He was endowed with all the qualities necessary to constitute an orator; and was, in truth, the most eloquent man in conver- sation I ever heard. So impressed was I by his eloquence, even at the early age of sixteen, that I asked my father if he did not think that Mr. Constable was very eloquent in conversation. To which he coolly replied 'That he was the most eloquent man in conversation that he had ever heard.' Such were his powers, and such the charms of his con- versation, that wherever he went he was the king of the company. I first saw him in 1796, at a dinner party. Among the distinguished persons pres- ent were General Hamilton, Colonel Burr and Volney. Yet, even in such company, all eyes and ears were turned to him, and he appeared to be the master spirit. He was a man of a princely disposition. Every thing with him was upon a lofty scale. Whatever was laudable insured his commendation ; what was reprehensible, his fiery indig- nation.
" It is a Spanish proverb, 'Tell me who your company is, and I will tell you who you are.' Testing him by this rule, he must have been truly great, for his most intimate associates were Jay and Hamilton, and Robert Morris, and the other master spirits of the time. Even in early life he was thrown into the society of the distinguished men of the Revolution, being an aid to the great and good Lafayette.
" His appearance strikingly indicated
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HISTORY OF LEWIS COUNTY.
his character, his countenance beamed with intelligence and expressed every emotion. So striking was his appear- ance that I heard a very sensible man say, that although he was not acquainted with Mr. Constable, vet, such was his appearance, that he felt as though he should be pleased to pass his days in his company. He lived in splendid style and his house was the resort of the master spirits of the day. The last time I saw him was in 1802, at Lebanon Springs, the summer before he died. Though in broken health, his spirits were superior to his infirmities. Al- though more than half a century has since elapsed, yet so striking and so in- teresting were his characteristics, and so deep the impression they made on me that I retain a vivid recollection of them to this day. I may say in the words of the poet :-
" And that the elements were so happily blended in him
That nature might have stood up and said to all the world
'This was a man.'"
THE FAMILY OF WILLIAM CONSTABLE, THE PURCHASER.
Mr. Constable died May 22, 1803, leaving a widow and seven children. As in questions of title in this county, the names of his heirs are often required, we will add a list of them.
Anna Maria, born in 1783, died in 1859. She married Hezekiah B. Pierrepont, who died in 1838.
Eweretta was born in 1784. She mar- ried James McVickar, who died in 1835. Her death occurred April 21, 1830, at the age of 41 years.
William Constable, Jr., born April 4, 1786, was carefully educated in Europe, married Eliza, daughter of John Mc- Vickar, and in June, 1810, came to re- side at Constableville, first occupying the house built by Shaler. He received from his father townships 3 and 4, of the Four Towns, subject to the contract with Shaler, and a bond to Daniel McCormick. He died May 28, 1821.
The elegant mansion erected by Mr. Constable in 1819, a little east of Consta- bleville, has since remained the home- stead of the family. This seat for quiet seclusion, elegant surroundings and classic beauty, is not surpassed by any in northern New York. The manage- ment of the landed interests remaining with this family, chiefly devolved upon his son, John Constable, whose indul- gence towards settlers, and whose urbane manners have rendered him deservedly popular in the community where he resides.
John Constable, a son of William the Purchaser, was born in 1788, and resided in Philadelphia. He first married Susan Livingston and afterwards Alida Kane.
Harriet, born in 1794, married James Duane, of Schenectady county, and set- tled in the town of Duane, Franklin county, which was named from him. The town of Harrietstown, Franklin county, was named from Mrs. Duane. James Duane died in 1859.
Emily, born in 1795, married Dr. Sam- uel W. Moore, and died in 1844. Dr. Moore died in 1854.
Francis Matilda, born in 1797, married Edward McVickar, and died May 3, 1871.
THE MCVICKAR FAMILIES.
John McVickar was an Irish linen merchant in the city of New York, and one of the executors of William Consta- ble's great landed estate, and died in 1812. His family was as follows :-
Archibald McVickar, married a daugh- ter of Brockholst Livingston, and died in one of the Western States, in 1848, aged 64 years. He resided on the place now owned by Emory Allen, not far from the site of the first St. Paul's church, before its removal. His sons were Dr. Brockholst Livingston Mc- Vickar, of Chicago; Archibald McVickar,
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF WEST TURIN.
contractor, etc., residing at Lyons Falls ; Catharine, and Susan. The latter mar- ried - Devereaux, of Utica.
Edward McVickar, married Frances Matilda Constable, and settled upon a farm still owned by his family, adjacent to that formerly owned by Archibald McVickar, on the road towards Collins- ville. We believe he came to reside in this town in 1818, and died December 6, 1866, aged 72 years. His son Henry Mc- Vickar, an active and prominent citizen, died at Brighton, England, January I, 1882, aged 56 years, and is buried in the old St. Paul's church cemetery.
James McVickar, came to Constable- ville in 1813; was a County Judge, and removed from this town in 1830. He married Eweretta Constable, and died in New York City in 1835. He had two sons and a daughter, viz : William Mc- Vickar, who removed to Louisville, St. Lawrence county,; John Mc Vickar, who became a physician and settled in New York; and Mary, who married and set- tled in New York.
John McVickar did not settle in the county. He was many years a Profess- or in Columbia College, New York City.
Henry McVickar, died at sea; un- married.
Nathan Mc Vickar, died in this town, and also unmarried.
Benjamin McVickar, settled at Mil- waukee, Wis., as a physician.
THE PIERREPONT FAMILY.
Although none of this family settled in the county of Lewis, the name is in- separably linked with the titles, and this fact renders it proper for us to notice them in this connection.
Hezekiah Beers Pierrepont of Brook- lyn, was known in Lewis county through his extensive landed possessions in the county, and the intercourse, in conse- quence, he had with the inhabitants.
He was born at New Haven, Conn., November 3, 1768, and was descended from the Rev. James Pierrepont, the first minister settled in that colony after its establishment. It was remarked in 1860 that the town plat apportioned to him in 1684, has ever since belonged to the family, and been occupied by them. It had thus never been sold since it was ceded by the aborigines. The imme- diate ancestor of the Rev. James Pierre- pont was John Pierrepont, who belonged to the family of Holme Pierrepont, in Nottinghamshire, which family was de- scended from Robert de Pierrepont, of Normandy. John came to America about the year 1640, with his youngest brother Robert, as tradition says, merely to visit the country, but married and settled near Boston, where he purchased in 1656, three hundred acres, since the site of the town of Roxbury. The family name being French, became An- glicized in this country, and was spelt Pierpont. The correct spelling has been resumed by this branch of the family.
The subject of this memoir displayed at an early age an enterprising active spirit. While at college he became dis- satisfied with the study of Latin and Greek, and the prospect of a professional life. He proposed to his father if he would permit him to leave his studies, he would provide for himself, and not receive a share of his estate. His father consented, and he fulfilled his promise to him, and thereafter provided for him- self. He first entered the office of his uncle, Mr. Isaac Beers, at New Haven, to obtain a knowledge of business. In 1790 he went to New York and engaged in the custom house, with the view of obtaining a better knowledge of com- mercial business. The next year he associated himself with Messrs. Watson and Greenleaf, and acted with them in Philadelphia in the purchase of National
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HISTORY OF LEWIS COUNTY.
debt, in which he realized a small for- tune. In 1793 he formed a partnership with his cousin, William Leffingwell, and established in New York the house ot Leffingwell & Pierrepont.
France being then in revolution, neg- lected agriculture, and derived large supplies of provisions from America. Mr. Pierrepont went to France to attend the shipments of his firm. The seizures of his vessels by England, then at war with France, so embarrassed the trade that he abandoned it, and in 1795 pur- chased a fine ship named the Confed- eracy, on which he made a trading voy- age to India and China, acting as his own supercargo. On his return voyage his ship with a valuable cargo was seized by a French privateer, and condemned and sold, contrary to the laws of nations and our treaty stipulations. He re- mained in France making reclamations against that government, with a good prospect of recovering the value of his property, when a treaty was made be- tween the two countries, by the terms of which our government agreed to assume the claims of its citizens against France and France agreed to as- sume the claims of its own citizens against the United States. To the dis- grace of the government of the United States, these claims, among other similar claims known as "claims for French spoli- ations prior to 1800," though brought constantly before Congress, have never been paid. In 1860, twenty-one reports had been made in their favor, and the bill had twice been passed and been vetoed. The best men of this country have ad- mitted their justice and advocated them.
Mr. Pierrepont was in Paris during the most bloody days of the Revolu- tion, and saw Robespierre beheaded. He was detained in England also by the legal steps necessary to obtain his insurance, part of which he recovered. Though war prevailed, his character
as a neutral enabled him to travel be- tween England and France. Our coun- try being represented in those coun- tries by able men, as well in as out of the diplomatic circle, he enjoyed their society and cemented friendships which lasted during life. That with Mr. Con- stable was one, and also that with Rob- ert Fulton, in compliment to whom Mr. Pierrepont named a son Robert Fulton, who died in infancy. After an absence of seven years Mr. Pierrepont returned to New York. He married in 1802, Anna Maria, eldest daughter of William Constable. After his marriage, wishing to engage in some business of less hazard than foreign trade, he traveled through New England to examine its manufacturing establish- ments, and finding distilling profitable, he in 1802 purchased at Brooklyn a brewery belonging to Philip Livingston, and turned it into a manufactory of gin which attained a high reputation, and was very profitable as it was at that time the only manufactory of the kind in the State. He purchased also a coun- try seat on Brooklyn Heights, which af- terwards became his permanent resi- dence. He was at that time one of only twenty-six freeholders, who owned the village of Brooklyn, now a city the third in population in the United States. When the profits of his manufactory were diminished by competition Mr. Pierrepont abandoned it, and thereafter gave his attention exclusively to the management of his extensive landed estate in Northern New York and his real estate in Brooklyn. He purchased in 1806 the town of Pierrepont and sub- . sequently half of Stockholm in St. Law- rence county. He made large additions to his landed estate in the five northern counties by purchases from the heirs of Wm. Constable and others, and be- came the owner of nearly half a million of acres of land, one hundred and fifty
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF WEST TURIN.
thousand acres of which were in this county. He made annual visits to this county to direct the making of roads and other improvements to facilitate settlements, and spent large sums on turnpike roads, aiding in constructing, among others, the St. Lawrence turn- pike, of which he was president, and which extended from the Black river to Franklin county a distance of seventy miles. He was also one of the principal proprietors of the turnpike from Rome to Constableville, and was interested in the Albany and Schenectady rail road, which was the first constructed in the State of New York.
His first visit to this county was in 1803, with Mr. James Constable. It was then an almost unbroken forest, and he was obliged to travel on horse- back. He had the gratification to wit- ness its gradual settlement and improve- ment, much of which was the result of his own exertions, seconded by his agents, Mr. Isaac W. Bostwick, Mr. Harvey Stephens, Mr. Diodate Pease, and Mr. David Stiles and others. In the treatment of settlers Mr. Pierrepont was uniformly kind and lenient, extend- ing his indulgence in the collection of their indebtedness, much to his own inconvenience. He surrendered the care and management of his lands in Lewis county for five years previous to his death, and by the provisions of his will, to his son Henry E. Pierrepont, who continued in their active manage- ment, till the year 1853, when they were partitioned among the members of the family.
Mr. Pierrepont died 11th August, 1838, leaving a widow, two sons and eight daughters. His widow died in 1859. We add a list of the children of Mr. Pierrepont, to whom his pos- sessions in this county have descended.
William Constable Pierrepont, residing at Pierrepont Manor, Jefferson County.
Henry Evelyn Pierrepont, residing at Brooklyn.
Anna Constable Pierrepont who died in 1839.
Emily Constable Pierrepont, who mar- ried Joseph A. Perry.
Frances Matilda Pierrepont, who mar- ried Rev. Frederick S. Wiley.
Mary Montague Pierrepont, who died in 1853.
Harriet Constable Pierrepont, who married Edgar J. Barton. She died in 1850.
Maria Theresa Pierrepont, who mar- ried Joseph S. Bicknell.
Julia Josephine Pierrepont, who mar- ried John Constable of Constableville.
Ellen A. Pierrepont, who married Dr. James M. Minor.
LATER ITEMS OF TOWN HISTORY.
George Davis of Belleville, N. J., for- merly a sea captain, in 1817, purchased a large tract of wild land in Township 3, from James McVickar, and several improved farms, and came to reside at Constableville. His maritime associa- tions had deprived him of the ability or the inclination to assume that social position, or to enjoy the rural independ- ence and happiness which one differently reared might have attained. He be- came involved in losses, his health failed, he went to sea, and died off the coast of South America. His son George is said to have been hung as a pirate, with two others, from this county, whose names might be mentioned by persons still living.
The Welsh settlers on the hills west of Turin, mostly settled under Captain Davis.
The postoffice of Constableville, was established January, 1826, with Seth Miller, Jr., as postmaster. The receipts of the first quarter were $4.12, and in the first three years averaged $4.01.
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HISTORY OF LEWIS COUNTY.
They began to increase rapidly January, 1829, when they had more than quad- rupled. The quarter ending March, 1853, gave $65.12, and the whole period of Colonel Miller's term, ending Sep- tember, 1853, (excepting from January, 1845 to May 1849), gave a total of $3,- 744.45 received from postage. As there was no material change in the rates of postage during this period, the above statement affords some idea of the in- crease of business and its amount in these years.
Colonel Seth Miller, began trade at Constableville, in 1819, and continued in business until his death, which occurred October 28, 1870, at the age of 70 years,- presenting the longest course of con- tinuous mercantile employment which has been presented in its history. In the various commercial crises which happened, he was not compelled for a day to suspend business or stop pay- ment; an exemption which can be said of but few merchants of equal business in this section of the State. This suc- cess was due to a discriminating judg- ment, and strict attention to business, qualities which in every pursuit, ensure their appropriate reward. Colonel Miller was many years a partner of James C. Duff. He was influential in public affairs, and a prominent political leader in the Whig and Republican school. His widow died October II, 1882, aged 82 years.
The house of D. H. Green, adjacent to St. Paul's Church cemetery on the West road, was burned on the evening of December 7, 1859, and two boys aged 12 and 13 years, who were sleep- ing in the chamber, perished in the flames. The family had retired to rest, and were awakened by the fire, which barely allowed Mrs. Green and two younger children to escape. The stair- way was already in flames, and the lads stifled and bewildered by the smoke,
sank down within hearing of their mother. The husband was away from home, and as the night was intensely cold, no help was rallied until the work of death was accomplished.
The steam saw-mill, sash, blind and cheese box factory at Constableville, owned by Earl, Allen & Taylor, was destroyed by fire, November 10, 1871, loss $10,000, insured for $4,000. The engine and planing machine of the fac- tory were saved.
On the 8th of September, 1881, a wretched event occurred in Constable- ville, which should have been prevented by the timely restraint of persons who were known to be dangerous characters. The Rev. John Craven, who had been for some years the Catholic priest, but who had been deprived of his office by reason of drunkenness and a flagrant violation of his trust, was living in the parsonage near the site of the church that had been burned, a short distance west from the village. He claimed to own the building and the site of the church, and a crazy brother " Pat " had under his orders formerly assaulted per- sons who ventured to intrude. It is said that the Poor-master had been duly notified that both of the brothers were dangerous characters, but no attention was paid to it.
On the day above mentioned, several persons with teams went to remove stone from the foundations of the old church for use in the new one, including two constables and others to the num- ber of a dozen or more in all. The Cravens had armed themselves with sharpened scythes, with a hay rope wound around a part, as a handle. They were forbade an entrance,but one of them, named Barney Egan, who being partly intoxicated, was more aggressive than the rest, was attacked by Pat, and so hewn and mangled that he died before night-the rest of the party being pas-
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF WEST TURIN.
sive spectators. The Cravens were in- dicted for murder, but a commission of lunacy declared them insane, and they were sent to the Utica asylum.
The village of Constableville is next after Port Leyden the most important business point in the southern part of the county, and enjoys an extensive trade with the country south and west. The business of the village in the summer of 1882, summarized as follows :-
Manufactures .- Two large wood work- ing establishments, with machinery in great variety, one owned by the Steam Mill Company and the other by Eames & Bridgman. The former employs from five to twelve hands and has a flour and feed mill in connection. The latter em- ploys about five men besides the owners, who have also a large steam saw-mill in the town of Lewis.
Tannery .- (William Wiltsie's) employs about five men besides the proprietor.
Brewery .- Owned by heirs of Joseph Siegel, and ran by Andrew J. Steinbren- ner; with about three men.
Grist Mill .- Levi M. Plumb's.
Blacksmiths .- Adam Traxell, Jacob Baker and Michael Hart; the first em- ploying four men, and the second two, besides the owners.
Wagon Shops .- A. Traxell and John Jones.
Carding Machine .- Justus Eames.
Large Cheese Factory .- Known as the "Miller factory."
Merchandise, etc .- Six dry goods stores -Anthony Markham, Williams & Long, Simeon Markham, Charles M. Allen, Peter J. Crofoot and Alvin E. Plumb.
Hardware Stores .- Taylor & O'Shea, Doyle Brothers, the latter also a drug store.
Jewelry Stores and Watch Repairing .- Nelson B. Felshaw, Major Bennett.
Boot and Shoe Stores .- Elington's Sons, who also deal in clothing, John Powell, Frederick Haas.
Harness Stores .- Henry S. Bowtell, L. D. Fraker.
Livery Stables .- Robert E. Conant, Charles A. Wider.
Hotel .-- Andrew J. Steinbrenner.
Professional .- One Lawyer, Ela Mer- riam Bagg, since 1878.
Physicians .- Dr. D. R. Runde, also a druggist, Dr. C. E. Douglass.
Dentist .- H. Frank Felshaw.
The village of Constableville has an excellent Brass Band.
The village of Constableville was in- corporated in 1877, the vote taken Aug- ust 29th of that year showed 64 for and 59 against it. It includes an area of 706.4 acres. At the first election held Octo- ber 8th 1877, Stephen T. Miller was chosen President, Levi M. Plumb, John Clover and Hiram T. Felshaw, Trustees, James Doyle, Treasurer, and Jerome Felshaw Collector. The Trustees ap- pointed Wm. R. Wadsworth, as Clerk, and he has held this office since.
The succession of Presidents has been as follows :-
S. T. Miller, in 1877-'79.
Warren G. Littaye, in 1880.
Nelson B. Felshaw, in 1881-'82.
The village has chiefly given its at- tention to the construction of sidewalks and other improvements, It had a fire- engine before the charter was adopted. An effort has been made to drop the village organization, but it was voted down.
The census of 1870 showed a popula- tion of 712, and that of 1880, of 593, in Constableville village.
Secret Societies of Constableville.
The Odd Fellows formerly had a lodge in this village, but its charter was given up three or four years since.
The Independent Order of Rechabites organized a Tent here in November 1881, and have about 100 members.
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HISTORY OF LEWIS COUNTY.
OBITUARY DATES.
The Town Burial Place on the West road, leading to Turin village, is the resting place of several old settlers in this town. The following names are there recorded :-
Dings, Jacob, died April 17, 1868, aged 80.
Foster, Hiram, died November 18, 1864, aged 51.
Hathaway, John W., died March 21, 1862, aged 62.
Lindsey, Luke, died December 21, 1867, aged 86.
Lyman, Mitchel, died December 29, 1875.
Lyman, Samuel, died May, 1848, aged 85.
Myers, Leonard, died April 16, 1869, aged 80.
Plumb, Selden, died May 23, 1856, in 47th year.
Rea, Jacob, died January 31, 1876, aged 66.
Rea, Peter, died July 28, 1862, aged 86.
Smith, Truman L., died March 9, 1862, aged 79.
Standcliff, Danford, died March 23, 1877, aged 87.
In addition to the above, we give the following names of early settlers and well-known citizens not elsewhere men- tioned. They are not here included because more prominent than many who are not included, but they are such as we have at hand, as this work goes to press :-
Barnes, Lyman, died February 23, 1862, aged 78.
Bridgeman, Oliver, died March 5, 1855, aged 69.
Burns, Patrick, died June 2, 1855.
Carter, Dan, died August 10, 1844, aged 70.
Clark, Homer, died April 7, 1862, aged 70.
Crane, Jesse, died March 27, 1813, aged 31.
Daniels, Enoch, died April 24, 1841 aged 67.
Dunn David, died October 13, 1836, aged 76.
Fairchild, Liberty, died June 11, 1852, aged 65.
Hovey, Alpha, died March 15, 1849, aged 72.
Hoyt, Eli, died April 30, 1853.
Hoyt Willis, died February 4, 1859, aged 56.
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