USA > New York > Madison County > History of Madison County, state of New York > Part 19
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Mr. Vanderkemp* and Col. Mappa, two of his most inti- mate friends, were Unitarians, and for a time he was in- fluenced by this doctrine. His pastor, Rev. Mr. Leonard, leaned toward these views, but during the ministry of Rev. Mr. Brown, who succeeded Rev. Leonard about 1814, in a revival of great power, Mr. Lincklaen devoted himself to a candid consideration of religious views, which led to his adopting the Trinitarian belief and devoting himself to a Christian life, and all his after life attested to the earnest- ness and fullness of his convictions.
In forwarding the erection of the " Old Church on the Green," he gave his time and means unsparingly, and the noble frame and graceful spire raised at that time, are now the just pride of a large congregation, who have made of the old landmark one of the most beautiful churches in our county.
His first residence was on the ground now covered by the house of Sidney T. Fairchild, Esq. This building was destroyed by fire in 1806, and he then selected his place at the foot of the Lake, on a site that commands a beautiful
*Mr. Vanderkemp was employed by the State to translate the old Dutch records into English.
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view of the entire length of Owahgena. This house, built of brick, is still standing, occupied by the family, and is evidence of his thorough care in working soundly and well.
The original warehouse and store was on the Lake, west of the outlet, among the venerable trees of a white oak open- ing. The Land Office was for a time near his entrance gate, and afterwards in a building erected for the purpose on land at the foot of Albany street.
The agency passed on to one, to whom he gave the posi- tion of an adopted son, J. D. Ledyard, whose eldest sister, he married in 1797.
Mr. Ledyard eventually assumed the entire remaining property from the Holland Land Company, and by him the office was removed again (to open a full view of the Lake from the village), and a third building was built in the business part of Cazenovia, where it now (1870,) re- mains.
At this time the business of the tract is comparatively small. A limited number of contracts are yet unpaid, but the "settlers " are fast paying them up and taking their deeds ; and of the original one hundred and thirty thousand acres of this Holland purchase, now only four or five hun- dred acres remain unsold; and as railways are threading the valleys through which Mr. Lincklaen and his men made their "blaze marks," these will soon be purchased and cleared, and ere long the whole venture that brought an European Naval Officer to settle on fair Owahgena, will be only a matter of local history.
Mr. Lincklaen's eventful and active life was changed to that of a suffering invalid in 1820, by paralysis, and his death resulted from the disease no skill or care could avert, on the 9th of February, 1822, while he was yet at the age of many hale men, fifty-four years.
SAMUEL S. FOREMAN came with John Lincklaen as a merchant and remained in Cazenovia several years. Under
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Mr. Lincklaen's patronage, he had at one time several stores established in small villages in different sections of the county. He was an energetic, public spirited man and possessed much influence. He subsequently removed to Syracuse. The author is indebted to him for much of the early history of Cazenovia.
JONATHAN FOREMAN was an elder brother of Samuel S. Foreman. He was an officer in the Revolutionary war, en- listing as ensign and rising by regular grades to Colonel. He held a General's commission in the militia, was very energetic in forming the old Military Brigade of Madison County, and was always prominent at parades, having a true soldierly bearing. These brothers were relatives of Hon. Joshua Foreman, the founder of Syracuse. Miss Helen Ledyard, who became the wife of John Lincklaen, was a niece of the Foreman brothers.
NEW WOODSTOCK VILLAGE is situated in the south part of the town of Cazenovia. David and Jonathan Smith, and Charleville Webber were the first settlers in this locality. These men it is said came in before Mr. Lincklaen's settling party,-stopped awhile at the shanty at the lake, and af- terwards staked out their lots and settled near the site of New Woodstock. Isaac Warren, Robert Fisher and John Savage were also among the first settlers of this part of the town. Ralph Knight, (who was living in 1869, and the old- est resident of the village,) was born in New Woodstock, December 18th, 1796. Erastus Smith (also living in 1869*) was another of the early native born citizens of New Woodstock. Joseph Holmes, a settler of 1801, was from Chesterfield County, New Hampshire-his native place being Munson, Mass. Squire Letus Lathrop, and Edmund Knowlton are other residents of the town who were among the earliest natives of this place.
*The date in which the author acquired this information.
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This village being on the well traveled road, from Caze- novia southward through Road Township, was quite early a conspicuous settlement. The first Baptist Church of Cazenovia was organized here as its history shows, and the first meeting house of the town was built in this village in 1803. There was a store, a tavern and some shops at that time. A Methodist class was formed here, and Rev. Mr. Paddock and other Methodist ministers preached at this place at stated periods, before 1820. A select school was originated, which, after a few years of successful operation, was incorporated by Legislature as "New Woodstock Academy." The date of the Act was May 2nd, 1834. It
is now extinct. At a later date the M. E. Church was built. A fine school house has been erected at a recent date, at a cost of about $3,000. In this a first-class graded school is kept. There is an extensive Glove Manufactory in New Woodstock. Its proprietors are (1869) Erastus Abbott, Joseph L. Hatch, James L. Savage, Elijah B. War- lock and Thomas Warlock. The village has also two car- riage and wagon shops, several mechanic shops and mills, a hotel, four stores, besides its two churches, and about 300 inhabitants.
A Good Templar's Lodge has been in existence abou: five years. It has thus far proved to be an institution, suc- cessful in sustaining itself, and in performing its sacred mission. (Note d.)
CHURCHES.
The Presbyterian Church of Cazenovia Village, was formed in 1799, with eight members. Rev. Joshua Leonard was first pastor. The first place of worship was a school house, after the style of a chapel, situated on the west side of Sullivan street, north of the Green. In 1807, the society erected the first church edifice of the town. It was situated on the north side of the Parade Ground, facing Hurd street.
The First Baptist Church of Cazenovia, was organized in
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New Woodstock, in 1799. Elder Bacon was temporary pas- tor. In 1803, the society, with the Presbyterians, built a meeting house. In 1820, the Cazenovia Village Baptist Church was formed. This society had, however, existed as a separate division since 1803, and had built their church about 1818. This was burned in 1871, and a fine new one erected on its site the same year.
The M. E. Church of Cazenovia Village. A class was formed in this village as early as 1816, which existed till 1824, when it was reorganized by Rev. Geo. Gary. Rev. Fitch Reed first pastor. In 1830, they built the stone church. This has been removed, and a fine new one is being erected on the spot.
The Congregational Church of Cazenovia Village, was built about 1838. The society are mostly removed. The build- ing is now known as Concert Hall.
St. Peters Church, Episcopal, of Cazenovia Village, was organized in 1845. Edifice built in 1848. First pastor, Rev. Mason Gallagher.
First Universalist Church of Cazenovia, was organized in 1853. The church edifice was erected in 1853-4. It is situated at the foot of Williams street.
St. James Church, Catholic, located near the old Parade Ground, was built in 1848.
NEWSPAPERS.
Two newspapers in Madison County claim the precedence as being the first established ; the Madison Freeholder, published at Peterboro, and the Pilot at Cazenovia-both originating in the year 1808.
The Pilot was started in August, 1808, by Oran E. Baker, and continued till August, 1823.
The Republican Monitor was instituted in Cazenovia, in Sep- tember, 1823, by L. L. Rice. It was published by John F. Fairchild from April, 1825, to January, 1832 ; by J. F. Fairchild & Son, till July, 1840, and by J. F. Fairchild till March 4th, 1841, when it was discontinued.
The Student's Miscellany, semi-monthly, was published at Caz- enovia in 1831, by A. Owen and L. Kidder.
The Union Herald was commenced in May, 1835, by L. My-
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rick and E. W. Clark. In 1836, Mr. Clark withdrew, and in 1840 the paper was discontinued.
The Cazenovia Democrat was started in September, 1836, by J. W. Chubbuck & Co., edited by J. Dwinnell. In February, 1837, it was discontinued.
The Madison County Eagle was commenced in this village in February, 1840, by Cyrus O. Pool. In 1841, it was published by Thomas S. Myrick and W. H. Phillips. In June, 1842, My- rick withdrew, and in May, 1845, it was changed to
The Madison County Whig. In August, 1848, Phillips was succeeded by H. A. Cooledge, by whom the paper was changed to
The Madison County News in October, 1853. In May, 1854, it was again changed to
The Madison County Whig, and in January, 1857, was discon- tinued.
The Abolitionist was started in Cazenovia, in 1841, by Luther Myrick, and continued two years.
The Madison and Onondaga Abolitionist was also published here, in 1843, by Luther Myrick and J. C. Jackson.
The Madison Republic was commenced in this village in Jan- uary, 1850, by W. H. Phillips, and continued about three months.
The Cazenovia Gazette was published by Baker & Debnam, from October, 1851, to May, 1852.
The Progressive Christian was established in April, 1853, by A. Pryne, and was continued two years.
The Cazenovia Republican was started May Ist, 1854, by Sen- eca Lake. It was subsequently published by Crandall Bros. ; afterwards by the Forte Bros., and now (1872) by E. B. Cran- dall, Irving C. Forte, editor.
The Madison Observer was first issued in Cazenovia, in Janu- ary, 1821, by Rice & Hall. It was removed to Morrisville in 1822.
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CHAPTER V.
DE RUYTER.
Boundaries .- Lincklaen's Purchase .- Original Division of Towns and their Names .- Naming of DeRuyter .- Party of Pioneers. -Opening of Roads .- Historical Incident .- Joseph Mes- senger .- Squire Samuel Thompson .- Names of Pioneers .- First Death .- First Birth .- First School .- DeRuyter Village in 1805 .- First Improvements at Sheds Corners and early Settlers in that Vicinity .- Quaker Basin .- DeRuyter Village in 1809 .- Cold Season of 1816 .- Affecting Incident .- Incon- veniences and Privations .- Customary Amusements .- Inci- dents .- Schools and their Teachers .- Distinguished Sons of DeRuyter .- The Village in 1832,-Incorporation .- Lively Progress .- S. D. B. Institute .- Sketches of DeRuyter Citi- zens .- Churches .- Newspapers.
DeRuyter is the southwest corner town of Madison County. It is bounded north by Cazenovia, east by George- town, south by Chenango County, and west by Onondaga and Cortland Counties. The principal stream of this town is the Tioughneoga River, which, however, has numerous branches. Along this river a beautiful valley of richly fer- tile soil spreads out, and on either side rise the summits of hills, some of which are 400 to 500 feet in hight. Pretty valleys follow the course of the Tioughneoga tributaries. A branch of the Otselic has its source in the southeast part of this town, along the course of which the Midland railroad finds its way among the hills into the town of Otselic.
DeRuyter, previous to 1795, was included in the ancient town of Whitestown and was a part of the famous " Linck-
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laen Purchase." "Tromp Township" was the original name given by Mr. Lincklaen to this town, which it re- tained while it belonged to that portion of the purchase ly- ing in Chenango County. A portion of " Road Township" is also included in DeRuyter. The ancient line between Tromp and Road Townships passed just south of Sheds Corners, and crossed the lands which are the present farms of widow W. I. Alvord, Samuel Smith, Orville Fowler and Asaph Smith. By reference to maps, it will be seen that the line of lots here change their numbers, showing that the original survey, when those towns were recognized, still holds good. The familiar name of "Tromptown " was not readily dropped when this, with No. I and No. 6 of the Clin- ton purchase, became in 1795, a part of Cazenovia ; but when an act was passed March 15th, 1798, authorizing the formation of the new town of DeRuyter, its inhabitants soon grew to be familiar with the illustrious title. At its formation under this act, it embraced its present limits, with Georgetown, in Madison County, and Lincklaen, Otselic, . German and Pitcher in Chenango County. Its population in 1800 was 310. The name of DeRuyter was given by Mr. Lincklaen in honor of his countryman, Admiral DeRuy- ter, of the Dutch Navy, an illustrious personage in the his- tory of Holland.
At the date of March 21, 1806, when the County of Madison was formed, that part of DeRuyter lying within the County of Chenango was taken off, and in 1815, when Georgetown was organized, two miles of the then town of Cazenovia was added.
In 1793, Col. John Lincklaen employed the services of Nathaniel Locke, by whom this tract was surveyed, when it was immediately opened for settlement. In this same year a small party of emigrants wended their way southward from Cazenovia into the pathless, unbroken wilderness of DeRuyter, or Tromptown, as then called. Their progress was impeded by heavy underbrush which they were com-
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pelled to cut from their pathway, and which, aided by the trees they marked, left them a passably well defined route for communication with the outer world. They halted near the confluence of the three streams, whose narrow valleys, united, form the entrance to the expanding and beautiful valley of the river which yet bears its Indian title, " Tiough- neoga," (said to be "Te-ah-hah-hogue " in the aboriginal dialect) meaning "the meeting of roads and waters at the same place." *
On the rolling land, up from the river full two miles from DeRuyter village, Elijah and Elias Benjamin, from Dutchess County, N. Y., and Eli Colgrove, from Rhode Island, se- lected their location on lots contiguous to each other ;- the two Benjamin families coming together, and the latter at or about the same time. Elijah Benjamin's family con- sisted of three sons,-Elias P., David and Elijah E. Benja- min. The last named son is the only one of those pioneers now living. He resides in DeRuyter village, is now (1871) eighty-two years of age, and in possession of mental and physical health unusual for a person of his years. These settlers obtained their farms of Mr. Lincklaen at the almost nominal price of fifty cents per acre,-farms which are now worth $ 100 per acre.
At an early date Colonel Lincklaen opened two roads through his purchase ; they were called the east and west roads. The west road was first laid out, and extended the whole length of his tract,-or from Cazenovia to German. The engineer employed in cutting this road had a corps of four axmen and one teamster, among whom were two of the hardy Jerseymen who came on to Cazenovia with Mr. Lincklaen,-John Wilson and James Smith. The former located in the town of Lincklaen ; the latter was long afterwards a resident of DeRuyter. These road-cut- ters found the wilderness to be continuous and extremely dense, from DeRuyter settlement southward, far into Ger-
* See Spafford's Gazetteer, 1812.
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man. There were five families then living in the latter town in the utmost seclusion, their only communication with the civilized world being by a " blazed" route to Oxford. Two of these families were named Doran, and the three others Vanauker. They were ignorant of the ap- proach of any settlement from the northward, and con- sequently on the evening that the road party were nearing them, and the sound of axes and echo of voices could be heard, no small amount of speculation and excitement was produced thereby. Some of the men were gone to mill to Oxford, but returned that night and found their families had gathered together and made their calculations. If the coming band were Indians they were to be prepared to accept them as they came; if friendly, they should meet a friendly reception ; if hostile, then otherwise ;- but if the new comers proved what the evidences led them to believe-a band of emigrants-great would be their joy ! And if this was indeed so, they then queried, where could they come from ?- so far as they knew all settlements and thoroughfares in the direction whence these were approach- ing, were many leagues to the northward; and why should emigrants cross the great Indian country intervening, when the traveled routes from the east were far preferable ? Such and similar queries and speculations were indulged in till a late hour, and sleep scarce visited this log hamlet that night. Early the following morning the engineer, while his men were preparing breakfast, walked out to reconnoitre, and in a short time reached the little settlement. There were mutual and hearty greetings, even though between strangers, for all were glad to look upon new faces ; there were rapid and eager questionings from the settlers, and ready and satisfactory answers given. The worthy and hospit- able Vanauker, earnestly pressed the stranger to take break- fast with them, but the invitation was respectfully declined, on account of the anxiety his men at camp would be sure to feel if his absence was prolonged ; he left, however,
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promising that himself and men would gladly avail them- selves of the hospitalities of their host's house that night, and as an evidence of the welcome they would meet with, the men of the settlement took their axes, went out to the woodsmen, and helped them through. That night was the most eventful and happy one that had yet closed upon the settlement ; it brought to their doors a road which was to give them communication with neighbors. From that time forward they became closely connected in intercourse with the settlement at De Ruyter.
Joseph Messenger and Samuel Thompson settled in this town in 1795. The former located on lot No. 20, and built the first tavern in the town. It was a large, double log house, and stood but a few rods from the present dwelling of George Lewis, who now occupies the farm. The Messen- ger Tavern was for many years the famous stopping place for the numerous emigrants coming in to settle the Linck- laen purchase, and many a way-worn traveler had cause to remember with gratitude the kindness of the proprietor. Mr. Messenger was employed by Mr. Lincklaen to cut through the east road, which runs on the ridge east of DeRuyter to the town of Lincklaen, and which the older inhabitants remember to have long borne the name of the "Joe" road. Upon the farm that he took up, cleared and cultivated, Joseph Messenger died and was buried. Upon the head- board, above his remains, the following epitaph was written, which, although not transferred to the marble his family reared in affectionate memory, was nevertheless true ;-
" Here lies the remains of old Uncle Joe, A Me.senger here a long time ago; Pioneer of the woods and worker of the way, , He did a great deal of work for a little pay."
Mrs. Messenger, or "Aunt Mima," as she was called, was a most excellent christian woman and beloved by every- body. Her character combined the requisites which highly qualified her for all the duties and needs of the new country. Courageous and self-reliant, she feared not to
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mount her horse, (astride if the case was urgent,) at any time of night, and ride ever so far in the woods, to attend the wants of the sick. As a safe and skillful practitioner of midwifery, her celebrity extended over a wide circuit.
Squire Samuel Thompson settled on Lot No. 4, where members of his family still reside. He was a marked char- acter of the period-a famous hunter, a wonderful marks- man, and from various other characteristics, similar to one of Cooper's heroes, he was called the " Leather-Stocking " of this section. The following extract from the DeRuyter " New Era," tells one of the many stories related of this rare character :-
" In his prime he was a bundle of nerves and bone, nothing else. On a time, he went to the village of Cazenovia, or, as it . was termed in those days, "up to the Lake." His business, which was with the late Col. Lincklaen, being over, Mr. T. stepped into the street, and passing along, unconscious of danger, met a sort of crazy, drunken chap, who, without prelude or cere- mony, struck him a most unexpected blow over the head. Sud- den as a flash, the assailed returned the 'how d'ye do' with a tremendous whack over the other's pate, who, seeing the stars fall, cried out lustily, 'Oh, you shouldn't strike me ! I'm a crazy man !' Instantly the old squire, whose motions were as quick as lightning, hauled off again, giving him another crack, with the retort, 'D-n you ! I'm as crazy as you be !' leaving bedlamite sprawling on the walk, to come to his senses as best he might."
Squire Thompson died a few years since, at the advanced age of ninety.
Joseph Rich came in from Connecticut about 1795, and took up Lot No. 36, which is traversed by the Tioughneo- ga, where, in 1807, he built the first saw mill, and, in 1809, the first grist mill in this town. These mills were in oper- ation until the construction of the DeRuyter Reservoir, which cut off the supply of a large part of the stream. The same property is now owned by DeGrand Benjamin, a grandson of Joseph Rich.
The isolated band of DeRuyter pioneers, located in as close proximity to each other as the size of their farms would permit ; they opened clearings which year by year
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widened and lengthened. It was a most salubrious situa- tion, and the success which attends vigorous health and favorable natural surroundings, was theirs. The fame of their local advantages was not long in reaching their former homes in the east, and large numbers were induced to emi- grate.
Eleazer Gage, from Dutchess County, with his sons, Jus- tus, Eli, Samuel, Ira and Jeremiah, came before 1800, and also Darius Benjamin, all of whom located south of, and ad- joining this settlement, some of them opening clearings where DeRuyter village now stands. Darius Benjamin cleared the land and set out a small orchard on his place, very near the new cemetery.
Jeremiah Gage built, at an early day, the tavern between the Messenger House and the village-two miles north of the latter-now owned by Newell Reeve, and re-modeled into a mansion-like farm house. The Gages became thrifty, well-to-do farmers, and as a family, were public spirited, and possessed influence. Eli Gage was quite popular as a political man. He was Supervisor for several years, and many years a Justice of the Peace. Only one of this once numerous family lives in town-Edwin Gage, grandson of Justus. Ira Gage Barnes, adopted son of Capt. Jeremiah Gage, became quite prominent as a teacher, and also held the office of Supervisor and of School Inspector. On the death of Jeremiah Gage, he succeeded to his estate. He subse- quently moved into DeRuyter, and established a banker's and broker's office. He was a successful business man, prominent and influential. He now resides in Syracuse.
Daniel Page, from Dutchess County, came before 1800, and at an early date-perhaps 1806-opened the first pub- lic house in DeRuyter village. It was a frame building, and on the erection of the Annas House on the same site, it was moved off the ground ; it now stands adjacent to the hotel, and is used as a drug store.
William and Thompson Burdick, brothers, came from
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Hopkinton, Rhode Island, in the year 1795. Thompson Burdick's deed of his farm bears date, May Ist, 1795. These brothers located their farms in the vicinity of the chapel, north of DeRuyter. Thompson's house stood next the chapel, (which was afterwards built,) and the farm of Wil- liam, Lot No. 128, adjoined his. The family record of Thompson Burdick discloses the fact that David Burdick, his son, was born May 25, 1796, which makes this the first birth in the town of DeRuyter. The Burdicks reared large families, who were generally thrifty and enterprising. Be- ginning poor, they attained a competence ; they were men of good judgment, safe, trustworthy, substantial, and locally public spirited. Two sons of Thompson-Albert G. and Joseph-settled in this town. The surviving sons of Wil- liam-Ira C., Kenyon and Lorenzo, reside in this town, and are farmers.
Prominent among the early settlers in the north part of the town, were three brothers-Jonathan, Luke, and Pardon Coon-who took up, cleared and improved fine farms, and reared large families, sons and daughters, most of whom lived to the estate of manhood and womanhood, contributing numbers and strength, virtue and intelligence to the native population of the town.
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