USA > New York > Madison County > History of Madison County, state of New York > Part 23
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Seth Snow came from Bridgewater, Mass. He cleared a portion of the farm now owned by William Hamilton, west of Eaton village, where he built a double log house, and when the turnpike was laid through, kept tavern for a time. Simeon and Eleazer Snow, his brothers, soon afterwards came in and commenced clearings on several different farms. The Elijah Morse place and Richard Waters, were lands bought by Simeon Snow.
Elijah Hayden settled near the village. He was a Major in the war of the revolution. He is well rememberd by the oldest citizens as an active, genial man, always ready with a joke or a story of the war "that tried men's souls." Daniel Hatch located about a mile southeast from Eaton village on the Hamilton road, where he removed the shadows of the forest from the soil, built himself a home and lived many years in the enjoyment of the fruits of his labors,
* Inventor of the "Reversible Mowing Machine" and of the new Mower, " Hopkin's Choice."
S
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dying at last respected and regretted. David Gaston set- tled in Morrisville, where he lent his influence and a help- ing hand toward promoting the interests of that locality. He was an early County Judge and a Justice of the Peace, in which positions he maintained peace and good order within his jurisdiction, to an eminent degree, through ex- ample and wise counselings, as well as in dispensing justice officially under the statutes. He was emphatically a man of great and good influence. The Averys located between Eaton village and Morrisville ; they were prominent, influ- ential men. They removed from here to other localities. Oren S. Avery of Perryville, was one of this family.
Thus far we have noted the locations and given brie notices of those named, who came in 1797 and soon after, as far as could be ascertained. We add further :
Benjamin, Nathan, Elisha and Dr. Slater were settlers at an early day in this town. The Slaters trace their pedigree to the Mayflower, their ancestor being one of the memor- able company landed from that famed vessel upon Plymouth Rock. Now, the descendants are widely scattered. David Bennett located near Hatch's Lake, on the north side, where he lived to an advanced age. His large farm is now owned by Jeremiah Wadsworth. His son, Daniel, resides in West Eaton. Olney, another son, is a Baptist minister in Wis- consin. Abiel Payne settled early in this town, near the reservoir. His son, Stillman, resides on the original farm, his farm house standing on the spot where his father erected his primitive log tenement. Truman, another son, resides in West Eaton.
Before the eighteenth century had closed its record, many settlers had forced their way in all directions through- out the town. The State road had led the pioneers through the south part of Nelson, and in different places along that road through Eaton, they had erected their cabins. In the vi- cinity of West Eaton had settled Perry Burdick and Thomas Fry. Farther on, Dr. Abner Camp, Captain Whiton, Na-
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than King and Samuel Lewis had located. The road from Madison through to Nelson Flats passed the home of the pioneer in other sections. It saw the opening of the forest at Morrisville, where Thomas Morris had located, and where the spirit of improvement and progress was fast transform- ing the wilderness into thrifty fields of grain ; where, aided by this man's wealth and enterprise, in time should rise the village bearing the name of its founder. It is, however, cer- tain that the first enterprises of the town sprung up in the vicinity of the Leland Lakes. The settlement, which had con- gregated here in this pretty vale, protected by the overshad- owing Eaton hills, and the lovely lakes, with the spreading valley before them, assumed some of the qualities of an auspi- ciously located village. The Indian trail from the Susque- hanna to Stockbridge, brought frequent parties of Indians ; the traveling accommodations and attractions of Leland's inn, the business of the mills before they were removed, the lively Indian trade in yankee notions at Gregg's store, lo- cated here, (the first store in town,) all certainly promised more than was realized ; for, on the removal of the mills to a more suitable and healthy location, other enterprises failed, and so perished even the hope of a village at this point.
It was the fixed opinion of some of the settlers, after the town was set off, that the center of the town should be the central business locality. This point was, indeed, gener- ally regarded for a time as the place to build a village. A tavern was kept here a short time by Alfred Cornell, and a school-house, one of the earliest, was built, in which elec- tions and other public meetings were sometimes held ; but the place had no natural business facilities. On the open- ing of the two turnpikes, one through Morrisville, the other through Eaton village, business was drawn else- where. Travel, a considerable source of income to new countries, followed these newly-opened thoroughfares and enriched the villages along their routes, while all out-of-the-
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way settlements lost caste as well as trade, and diminished ; and so, before the project of building up the center had fairly taken form or shape, it was of necessity yielded.
In 1800, Joseph Morse, finding an excellent mill site on Eaton Brook, as it came swiftly down its deep vale from the westward, saw that there was a fine chance open for the exercise of his enterprising nature, and he resolved to im- prove it. He employed Mr. Theodore Burr, who was widely known in those days as a bridge builder and mill- wright of the first order, to build his mill for twelve hun- dred dollars. There was then great difficulty in obtaining mill-stones ; so a large boulder was dug from the earth, and was being wrought into shape, when it was discovered to possess a flaw, which rendered it unfit for use. It was consequently abandoned, and another and more perfect stone was found, which, after being fashioned quite artis- tically into the desired shape, went into the mill and did good service for many years. The rejected stone may be seen in a stone wall, on the farm of Geo. Cramphin, south of Eaton village, an object of interest to those who would not forget' the inconveniences to which the early settlers were subjected. Subsequently this mill was furnished with the mill-stones brought by Col. John Lincklaen from Ger- many, from whom Mr. Morse obtained them. Members of the Morse family still own this mill, or one situated on the same site. In 1802, Mr. Morse removed to the present locality of the Morse homestead in Eaton Village, near his mill site, and there increased the capacity of his water power for both saw mill and grist mill, and also built up other works. He purchased considerable land in the vicinity of his mills, which embraced much of the present village. At this time settlements were increasing rapidly in the country round about. But West Eaton was yet a forest, with the new State road passing through.
Dr. Abner Camp located on the new road just men- tioned, to the westward of William Hopkins, just over the
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town line. His farm is now owned by Lucius Hopkins. His place was called "Camp's Hill." Dr. Camp was so widely known through all this region, that the lake in his vicinity, (Hatch's Lake,) was first and for a long time known by the name of " Camp's Pond." This beautiful sheet of water in the southwest corner of Eaton was a favorite resort of the Indians until a late day. The earliest settlers in that vicinity relate many incidents descriptive of their manners and customs.
At one period, as many as forty families of aborigines dwelt in the neighborhood of the lake and swamp. A friendly feeling was readily established between themselves and the white people, in whose houses they made themselves at home, entering at any and all times unannounced ; for if the latch-string hung out, the unrestrained barbarian drew it, and unbidden silently walked in ; or, if he so desired, would move the door slightly ajar and peer in upon the occupants, or would perhaps appear suddenly at the window.
Dr. Camp was annoyed by their freedom, and on one oc- casion severely reprimanded and forbade them these liber- ties on his premises. Regardless of his wishes, they still continued to annoy him, when he declared he should raise a company and drive them from the locality. To this they responded by threats of a similar nature, saying they could raise forty men. In a few days Dr. Camp discovered seve- ral of their number painted savagely, and decking them- selves in battle toilet. He immediately gathered a few of his neighbors, who, with their muskets, crept near the In- dians place of concealment. When well situated with his men, Dr. Camp fired his piece at a tree, at the foot of which sat an old Indian, who, amidst the falling bark and splinters scattered by the ball, sprang up in affright to hear the shout of command from the Doctor, " Come on, boys ! we've got them !" and in double quick time the party of warlike In- dians disappeared in the forest. For a few days thereafter they were unusually quiet, and finally laid by their hostile
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appearance altogether and became more civil neighbors. Dr. Camp used frequently to rehearse, with great enjoy- ment, this adventure, in which he frightened a band of In- dians with his company of three men.
It is related that oftentimes at evening, in fair weather, their village of wigwams presented the appearance of rustic simplicity and comparative content, as the women were seen bustling about, broiling fish or game over a large camp fire, the men, who had hunted or fished all day, reclining at their ease, the children playing peaceably. As each morsel of food was cooked, it was given first to one then to another till all were satisfied. Nature's demands appeased, these hardy children of the woods stretched themselves upon the earth, each wrapped in his own blanket, and slept a sleep far sweeter than if in palace chambers. Harmony and content- ment, however, did not always fall to their lot, for under the influence of the white man's "fire water," they had frequent and fierce quarrels. This curse, brought with civilization, was fast doing for them a terrible work of debasement and destruction.
Mr. Oliver Wescott, who has lived near the lake since early in the century, relates many incidents concerning the Indians and their wild habits, which go to show that they were numerous and quite at home here at one time.
Peter Hatch settled in 18-, at the southwest corner of the lake now and for so long bearing his name. He built the house in which his widow now resides, with her son, Harrison Hatch. Joseph and Hezekiah Morse, and Rufus Eldred, associated with him, built a saw mill here at the outlet of the lake. In time, Peter Hatch purchased the shares of his associates, and thus became for a period the owner of one of the best mills in the country, it being an excellent water power while the natural outlet was allowed to flow, and until the lake became, as we have seen, a canal feeder. The dry channel, passing near Mr. Hatch's house, is not yet obliterated by the husbandman, as has been many
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another old landmark bearing a time-engraven record of its own history and of the dim centuries gone by.
The following incident of the lake neighborhood, still fresh in the memory of many, is related to us :- Many years ago, two young children of Oliver Wescott-Elizabeth and Ste- phen-were playing upon the shore of the inlet near their father's house, when they conceived the idea of taking a ride upon the lake in their mother's wash-tub, which stood near by. Launching their improvised boat upon the water, the two got in, and instinctively, or by chance, seated them- selves on opposite sides, which just balanced the craft. A breeze was blowing, and, aided by the paddle of a little hand on either side, they were soon out upon the waters. The frantic distress of the mother may be imagined, when, missing her children, she looked and saw, far out from the shore, the speck of a wash-tub and two little upright heads above its rim, the wee excursionists, of course, as uncon- cerned as if rocking in a cradle on the floor of their mother's kitchen. The lake is more than half a mile wide at the point where the tiny voyagers embarked, and they were far towards the opposite shore, whence they were drifting fast, when discovered. Here was opportunity for a scene and a tragedy ; but the discretion of the mother bade her avoid attracting the attention of the children, lest they should make some movement to lose their balance ; instead, she made her way swiftly through brush and briers, around the west end of the lake, (where the stage road now runs,) and reached a point near the present residence of Mr. Mann, . in time to receive her truants all unharmed ! Since they were safe, she-no doubt with all motherly tenderness, as that was her nature-administered a timely lesson of warn- ing against all future temptations and attractions that the water might hold forth. The boy Stephen, however, was never cured of his love for adventure upon the " deep," and at the age of fifteen went to sea. Since that time he has sailed in nearly every quarter of the globe; and now, in
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middle age, he is a denizen of the southern hemisphere, spending much of his time in the Sandwich Islands. His letters home tell of his marriage in Honolulu, to a Hawaiian, Lillian, the adopted daughter of King Kamahamaha III., a devoted Christian girl. She died recently. The little girl, Elizabeth, is now the wife of Mr. Henry Patridge, and re- sides in view of the lake, which sometimes reminds her of the perilous adventure of her early childhood.
Capt. Whiton, from Massachusetts, also settled in the neighborhood of the lake. He was a captain in the war of the revolution, and was a brother of Gen. Joseph Whiton, well spoken of in the history of that war. David Bennett, David Mentor, Nathan King and Samuel Lewis were other settlers in the same vicinity. Many members of the Ben- nett family are still residents of this town and Lebanon. They are respectable and substantial farmers.
Miles Standish took up the farm now owned by Adin Brown, and lived there many years. He was an energetic business man. He invested in the new turnpike, and built and first kept the old turnpike gate, which stood opposite Alderbrook grist mill. Mr. Standish was a lineal descendant of his il- lustrious namesake, the Miles Standish of Mayflower and Pu- ritan memory, one of the most distinguished of the colonists who landed upon Plymouth Rock in 1620. Seth Hitchcock was another settler who lived near Mr. Standish. Thomas Wilkie took up the lot which is now the homestead of How- ard Leach. Nathan Bassett, Solomon Shaw, Nathaniel Wilmouth and John Murdock, settled on land in the vicinity and south of Pierceville. The four last named were gone years ago. Nathaniel Wilmouth died here. Murdock took up the land known as the " old Curry farm." He lived at one time in a log house (very near where the Pierceville school house now stands, and in that locality made wrought nails for all the settlers round about. A few of the settlers on the north border of Lebanon considered themselves as belonging to the neighborhood, including those last named.
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These were Lent Bradley, a Mr. Bingham, Richard Taylor and Deacon Webster. The Deacon said that the first wagon that entered the town of Lebanon, he drove through this neighborhood, then an entire wilderness, save the small clearings around the settlers' houses. David Moreton, from New Bedford, Conn., came in the year 1802, and settled on the farm now owned by his son, Seth Moreton. From the trees of his forest-covered lot he built his log house, in which he lived till 1817, when he built his frame house,- at that day one of the best in the vicinity-which is still standing near Mr. Moreton's present residence.
Thus far in these annals, it will be seen that the early part of this century was marked by the inflow of a host of families, who reared and (many of them) established their children, and who have, as it were, determined the charac- ter and status of the town. In passing, the facts have enabled us to delineate the advance pioneer, the man whose ambition is to strike the first blow ; who glories in wres- tling with discomfort and privations ; who eats his coarse fare with a keener relish because he has to battle fiercely to obtain it ; who sleeps a sweeter sleep when nature pre- sents a comfortless couch ; who rises in his strength, because his strength is opposed and does not remain to enjoy nature in her tame submission, for in that case he could not enjoy ; if there is no longer an object on which to spend his force, he pines, sinks into obscurity, or moves on to fresh scenes of conquest. Such was the nature of some whose names we have given, and doubtless of many whose names we have not been able to obtain, who passed along, leaving a fair opening for the permanent settler.
Many inhabitants who came in and settled where the vil- lages grew up, are mentioned in connection with a sketch of those villages. Many others settled in various sections at later periods, whose families are still with us. The names immediately following will be recognized by many.
David Darrow came from New Lebanon, N. Y., in 1806,
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and took up a lot south of West Eaton village, now owned by his son, J. J. Darrow. He removed his family here in 1808. Mr. Darrow also took up or purchased several farms around him, one of which he sold to Ephraim Leach who incorporated it in his homestead farm. The same is now a part of the farm of Marshall Tayntor. To the northward, Mr. Darrow's land extended so far as to embraced a con- siderable portion of West Eaton village. Much of this he divided among his children, making them-what they are now-quite extensive farmers.
Joseph Enos, a native of New Lebanon, N. Y., came also in 1806, and located on a farm adjoining David Darrow on the east. The old road passing from Pierceville across "half moon bridge," at the head of the factory pond, passed by the doors of Mr. Darrow and Mr. Enos. The old orchard of the Enos farm has still a few trees left to indi- cate its location. Mr. Enos afterwards removed to Eaton village, where he lived till 1831, when he changed his residence to Allegany County. He held town offices and was a very popular man. Among the Masons he is reputed to have been a member of great influence and thoroughly versed in masonic knowledge. Possessing most courteous and agreeable manners, he won his way wherever he went. David Enos, a brother of Joseph, yet resides at West Eaton.
Jacob Tuckerman came about 1808, and located in the west part of the town. He subsequently removed to Eaton village. His sons settled in this town. They were independent, substantial farmers.
Backus Leach came to this town from Bridgewater, Mass., in 1812. He purchased a large farm on lot No. 97, which, by hardy energy and perseverance, he succeeded in making one of the noblest in this section. Near his dwelling stood an ancient landmark, a large elm tree, which for its size, beauty and apparent great age, attracted the attention of all passers by. In 1866, after the death of Mr. Leach, this noble tree was blown down. Mr. Leach
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died in 1864, at the ripe age of 82 years, while in posses- sion of uncommonly well preserved bodily and mental activity. His son, Howard H. Leach, succeeded to the spacious home farm.
Ephraim Leach, brother to Backus, came here in 1818, and settled on a farm adjoining his brother. For this farm he paid sixteen dollars per acre in eagles and half eagles. He is still living, with his son Lewis, on a part of the same farm, at the great age of 93 years, having been born in Bridgewater, Plymouth County, Mass., April 22d, 1779. He is still blessed with a remarkably good memory.
George H. Andrews came from Windsor, Conn., about 1808, and was a resident of the same neighborhood. He was well known as a journeyman shoemaker in the early days. He resided in this town till his death, which occurred in 1870, at the home of his youngest son, George Andrews, in Pierceville. He reached the advanced age of 87 years.
Joseph Tayntor, we also notice here, as his sons and daughters have mostly settled in this town, and have been closely identified with this section of the country, and constitute an important and influential portion of com- munity. Joseph Tayntor located in the town of Lebanon, just beyond the south line of Eaton, in the year 1808. He reared his family on the same farm he himself wrested from the heavy forest, and on this farm he died in 1847, at the age of 73 years. (Note f.)
A few settlers located at Eaton village soon after Mr. Morse built his mill. Nicholas Byer, a blacksmith, was one of the first. His father, who lived here also, was one of Burgoyne's Hessians in the time of the revolution. This fact was noted by the revolutionary patriots who were his neighbors. Another of these settlers, following the building of the mill, was Elisha Willis, one of the best of shoe- makers.
In 1806, Eaton village had less than half a dozen houses, of logs, nevertheless it boasted of being one of the cities of
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the new country. The manner of its christening has been related as follows :
A stranger who had traveled hither, and was generously entertained by the hospitable people, was found to be the prince of good fellows and withal a wag. In the midst of their jollification, he took a flask of "good cheer," ascended one of the low roofed log buildings, and in the presence of a group of admiring comrades, delivered a short and witty harangue, flourished his bottle, and drank to the health of " Log City," which was answered by the waving of hats and three rousing cheers. The spirit of the occasion lingered in the feelings and was carried home by each one present, and he in turn retailed the good joke perpetrated on the settlement, to his neighbor. The story grew in importance, was passed from mouth to mouth, till the name of Log City, one of the chief stopping places on the Skaneateles turn- pike, became familiar as a household word from the eastern to the western limits of New York State; thenceforward for the next fifty years, the name became a fixture, and it re- quired no small amount of diligence, for the present genera- tion to let fall the cognomen and assume the more eupho- nious title of Eaton village.
When the town had been progressing in settlement ten years, the taxes were but $400. In 1812 or 1814, it had from $1,200 to $1,400 of surplus money above expenses. In 1871, the taxes of Eaton aggregated $21,869.
In 1802, the first tavern in " Log City" was built by Isaac Sage. It was located on the east side of the road going to Lebanon, on the corner, and opposite the present site of the Exchange Hotel. This old tavern is still standing, a relic of the past. At the time it was built it was reckoned a fine large house. In one part of this town, Robert and William Henry commenced keeping store in 1805, and continued for some time. Rufus Eldred kept store across the street, near the Exchange location. After a time the Henrys moved across into the store they had there built.
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In 1804, the first distillery of the place was built by Ru- fus and Zenas Eldred, on the site where Ellis Morse, years after, run a large distillery.
The Mrs. Maydole house, on the west corner, opposite Sage's hotel, was also very early built ; it is still a good res- idence.
Samuel Chubbuck, who came to Eaton about 1807 or 1808, built a frame house on the present location of the lower, or eastern hotel. There was then one log house where now stands the Baptist parsonage, another near the house of Mrs. John Whitney, (known as the " Sherman house ") and another near the pleasant residence formerly known as the " Ellis house."
The first carding machine in this part of the country was built on the creek, where the woolen mill afterwards stood, by Hezekiah Morse and Rufus Eldred, in the year 1806. They soon added clothier works, and in due time increased their business by the addition of a "spinning-jenny " and looms. In 1833, the establishment was rebuilt of stone by Alpha Morse and Clement Leach, who had purchased it. They filled it with two sets of machinery for woolen goods and did much business for several years. It has passed through the hands of several different firms since ; was ope- rated as a stocking factory during the war of the rebellion by the Lewis Brothers, and was last used as a woolen factory by Smith O'Brien. It has been damaged by fire once and rebuilt. At present it is owned by O. A. Medbury, who has converted it into a cabinet manufactory.
Mr. B. Carter built the first tannery of Eaton village, and operated it for a time, as early as 1808. It was situated contiguous to the Maydole house. Several years after, it was carried on by Milmine & Ward.
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