USA > New York > Madison County > History of Madison County, state of New York > Part 27
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In 1844, Jonathan Pierce, of Hamilton, purchased the premises belonging to Mr. Rogers, together with consider- able adjacent property, which embraced the above named " Hill," of forty acres, (half of it woods then,) and the farm of Widow Sherman, on the east of the Lebanon road, whereon was a superb mill site. During 1845, he built on this site a factory for the purpose of manufacturing cotton goods. He added, that year, several dwellings and a store, and in January, 1846, commenced operations. Jonathan Pierce died about 1850, and was succeeded by his son Jonathan Osgood Pierce, who carried on a large business under the firm name of Pierce, Cady, Crocker & Co. Mr. Pierce, as the head of the firm, made extensive improve- ments in building and otherwise, and spared no pains to make it an attractive place. From an article written in 1856, descriptive of the pretty scene this place presented, the following is extracted :-
"On the corner of the road leading from the turnpike south, is the mansion house of John Brown ; a few rods from the cor- ner is the newly built residence of Hamilton Cobb, the buildings and grounds being arranged in an improved style. Descending a short distance we reach the residence of J. O. Pierce, almost hidden in its bower of shrubbery and ornamental trees. Its walks, summer-house, spacious and elegantly furnished parlors are often made joyous by gay parties from the cities and large villages, who enjoy Mr. Pierce's unbounded hospitality during the summer months. On the opposite side of the road is the store of J. O. Pierce & Co.,-the roomy Boarding House, abundantly furnished, the green park of young maples, covering about two acres of ground, and beyond them, almost hidden from view, is the brown cotton factory ; the hum of its wheels, V
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the pealing of its bell, the passing to and fro of hands, the arrival and departure of customers at the store, which exceeds in trade all the other country stores, altogether make up a lively scene. Behind the heavy shade trees which border the side- walks, are the factory houses, white painted, cleanly kept yards and neat picket fences. The air is fragrant with the odor of flowers and some ancient, white-blossomed locust trees. A wide lane, or road, leads in among the houses, at the farther end of which is a saw mill, and the planing mill of Geo. Andrews. There is a blacksmith shop and a tailor shop. At the south end of the village is a small white house, with flower adorned yard in front, which is the residence of a lady physician, Mrs. Dr. D. Chase. (Note j.) There is a neat white school house, built in a style to accommodate the citizens with meetings. It is well supplied with maps and apparatus, mathematical, astro- nomical, &c., for a district school, and has a roll list of 100 scholars. Altogether the place has some thirty dwellings and about 225 inhabitants."
During the financial crisis of 1857, this company failed, and from that time to this, there has been a steady decay of those valuable premises. Nervertheless, much business has been done in the mill since. In the year 1868, under the superintendence of John Dalman, there were woven sometimes as many as 16,500 yards of sheeting per week ; and during the six months following the first of May of that year, this mill manufactured 460 bales, or 342,000 yards of sheeting. The census of 1855, states of this mill as follows :- Capital invested in real estate, $15,000 ; ditto, in tools and machinery, $15,000; ditto, raw material, $30,000 ; ditto, in manufactured goods, $30,000 ; number of persons employed, 63. The premises have been owned by several different ones since 1857. H. M. Kent, who was superintendent from 1848 to 1857, had the agency till 1866. Charles Pierce then purchased it. He sold in 1871 . The present firm is Nason & Co., of New York city.
PRATTS' HOLLOW.
John and Matthew Pratt from Vergennes, Vermont, came to the north east corner of the town of Eaton, and settled among the hills in a dense wilderness, the place afterwards being called Pratts' Hollow, from them. At their first
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coming in they had but little money, and a cutter held all their worldly effects. But they were enterprising men and went to work with a will. After getting some of the woods down and letting in the sunlight, they decided to build a grist mill. They prepared their timber, and after getting everything in readiness, sent out for their neigh- bors to help in the raising. No building was raised in those days without ardent spirits ; and it is related, by way of giving us an insight into the custom of the times, that the Pratts endeavored to procure rum of Major Clough of Madison, for the raising, but who refused to trust them, as they had no ready money. The day arrived, and they were in great tribulation because of their inability to procure the one thing needful; everybody would be there and the reputation of their mill would be scandalized if they could not do the " honorable " at the raising. One of the Pratts confided his trouble to Col. Leland, who gave his order, and forthwith Major Clough uncorked his cask, the rum flowed, and the mill was raised with a right good will. The location of this grist mill is about a half mile out of Pratts' Hollow. It has, through repairs and rebuilding, been a very useful institution, despite the circumstances attending its origin.
The Pratts prospered. They soon built a saw mill, then a large distillery which they operated for many years. They had several houses, and built and stocked a large store, and before 1825, built one of the first woolen mills of the county.
The firm of the Pratt Brothers transacted a heavy busi- ness with their grist mill, saw mill, woolen mill and distil- lery, and at one time it was supposed they were worth at least $60,000. They were energetic business men, had large families, and altogether wielded a strong influence. John Pratt was a wide awake Methodist ; used frequently to exhort, being regarded as a gifted person in that direction. His name was prominently connected with the building up
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of the Methodist Church in Pratts' Hollow, and also that in Morrisville.
In time, the Pratt Brothers dissolved partnership; after that, their property, which had so rapidly accumulated began to waste away. As one reverse after another pressed upon them each, they became disheartened ; their families began to scatter, and to-day their homes are in vari- ous states of the Union. John and Matthew Pratt both died in Madison County ; Matthew in Hamilton, at an advanced age; John died in Canastota a few years since, over ninety years of age. The Fearons purchased the Pratt property.
J. F. Chamberlain came to Pratts' Hollow about 1809. He was from Southwick, Mass. He commenced his manu- facturing works with a carding machine and clothiery, which, in the course of a few years, he increased to a small woolen factory. He then built a small cotton factory where he made satinet warps. About 1825, Isaac Peet united with Chamberlain in business, and under the firm name of Cham- berlain & Co., they built a larger cotton mill for the manu- acture of sheetings. They also built several houses for families, a boarding house, a store, &c. Mr. J. F. Chamber- lain died in 1839 at the age of sixty years. His son suc- ceeded to the property.
The widow of Mr. Chamberlain still survives at the ad- vanced age of ninety-two years. She resides with her daughter, Mrs. Leland, in Morrisville. Her vigor of body and mind is wonderful for her years. She relates with ac- curacy her experience during the early years of their settle- ment in Pratts' Hollow. When she came there inf 1809. she was a wife, and mother of four children. She entered with spirit into all her husband's undertakings, and like the wise woman of Solomon's time, who "layeth her hands to the spindle and her hands hold the distaff," so Mrs. Chamber- lain wrought some exquisite fabrics from the distaff and spindle. One of the earliest fairs of Morrisville exhibited a specimen of her handiwork, a piece of linen containing six-
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teen yards, a little over a yard wide, which, when bleached, weighed six pounds. It was made from long silken fibres of the best of flax, hetchelled by her own hands and spun by herself on a two hand wheel. Nine run, or 180 knots of yarn, weighed a pound before weaving, which shows the fine- ness of the fabric.
Between 1825 and 1840, Pratts' Hollow was a flourishing manufacturing village, with the Pratts' woolen mill, the Chamberlain & Co.'s cotton mill, the two boarding houses, the two stores, tavern, and distillery. During these years several different men and firms engaged in one or the other of these manufacturing concerns, built up for themselves small fortunes and moved away. Some are enjoying their gains to-day, while others in their prodigality have suffered their savings to slip away easier than they came.
Time changes all things, and gradually its changes came to Pratts' Hollow. In 1852, the Chamberlain cotton mill was burned ; the proprietors suffered a total loss, as it was not insured, and did not rebuild. The little old cotton mill has been moved upon the site of the burnt one and convert- ed into a cheese box factory. The small old woolen factory of Chamberlain's is now a cheese factory. The Pratts' woolen mill has changed hands repeatedly and is repaired to be again put in operation. H. C. Howe of the Eureka Mills, West Eaton, used this mill during the war for making army stockings.
This is yet a stirring, thrifty village, with one store, a tav- ern, a woolen mill, cheese factory, saw mill, grist mill, Methodist Church, and about thirty-five houses.
About 1806, a number of Protestant Irish settled on farms in and about Pratts' Hollow. These were the Tookes, Kerns, Fearons, Tackaburys, Philpots and others. Among the different members of these families, men who have been useful and influential members of society, we have the names of Michael Tooke, Francis Tooke, James Tackabury, George Philpot, Francis Kern, John Kern and George
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Fearon. Among the family of Tookes are two Methodist ministers. Lambert Kern of DeRuyter, of the family of Kerns, was appointed District Attorney in 1865. Edwin C. Philpot* of one of these pioneer families, is Justice of the Peace and has been the frequent recipient of public favors. These are mostly farmers of the scientific and progressive sort. Nathaniel Tooke, living in the north-east corner of the town, ornaments the road sides along his farm by setting out fruit trees for shade, thus evincing his thrift and liberality.
The Pine Woods Tavern was built in 1834, by Richard Madison, who now lives in Binghamton, and is eighty-two years of age.
Solomon Root, who settled at the town line on the road leading from Pine Woods to Bouckville, was the first class- leader of the old Methodist church in Bouckville, which was originated in this neighborhood. Meetings were first held in his house. Then he built the "Chapel," near him, which stood on the town line, where meetings were after- wards held. This Chapel is still standing, having been converted into a dwelling, and is owned by Alonzo Peck.
Josiah Peck came from Rhode Island in the year 1806. He took up a large wilderness farm and built his first log house east of the present tavern across the canal. His son, Alonzo Peck, succeeded to the homestead, and made addi- tions to it in purchases of land. When the Chenango Canal was built through his farm, he built large store houses and engaged heavily in the forwarding business, both here and at Hamilton. Peck's Basin has been known to dealers in produce and those connected with the trade, as the cen- ter of a large business since the canal first opened.
The following extracts from a diary kept by Benjamin Morse, the pioneer, are records of events, which, to an un- usual degree, affected the prosperity of the inhabitants :-
*E. C. Philpot received the Republican nomination for Member of Assembly or the 2d District and was elected Nov. 5th, 1872.
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" 1809. July II, was a rainy day, which, together with rain the day before and after, made a great freshet. Generally thought there fell two feet of water all over this part of the earth. The rain began to come on Sunday by showers, and on Monday the 17th, it rained like a shower all day."
" 1810. The night of July the 17th there was a great frost. The frost was so thick on the fences that it could be scraped up by the handsful like snow balls. The grass was froze so, that when cutting it off, there would scales of ice flake up an inch long. The ice gathered on the scythe snath a quarter of an inch thick. The leaves of corn and beans, squashes, cucumbers and other things, were frozen stiff, yet but very little damage was done with us."
" 1816. June the 6th it snowed most of the forenoon. The night after, the ground froze." [The following entry was made afterwards. ] "The years 1816 and '17, cold ; no corn. 1816 was dry and cold. 1817 was wet and cold. 1818, wet in the spring, and somewhat cold until May 20. Was then a good season for corn and other crops ; very extra for hay. 1819, very warm all the season. First frost Sept. 21. Some corn fit to grind in August, that year. All crops exceedingly good, except hay-that middling."
CHURCHES.
The First Baptist Church of Eaton, was organized in Morrisville, in 1809. The first meeting house was built almost entirely by Deacon Arowdell Lamb, the same year. It was a small house, 20 x 30 feet. In 1826, it was moved about fifty rods east of its first location, to the grounds where the old church now stands ; it was subsequently added to by building, completing its present dimensions. February 17th, 1849, it was sold at public auction for $400 ; and February 20, the same year, the new and present house in Morrisville, was dedicated. Mrs. Emily Judson, and Dr. Dean and wife were children of this Zion. Rev. Dr. Kendrick, Rev. Obed Warren, and other distinguished ministers have been pastors of this church.
The Presbyterian Church of Morrisville, was organized in 1817. In 1817 and '18, the house of worship was built on its present location, at a cost of $1,680. 44. Rev. Silas Parsons was the first pastor. Some of the best talent of the denomination has been employed in its pulpit.
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The Methodist Episcopal Church of Morrisville, was in- corporated February 24, 1834, at a meeting held in the court house. First pastor, Rev. Ward White. The church edifice was built on its present location in 1835. It has since been much enlarged and improved.
The Second Baptist Church of Eaton, was formed in Eaton village in 1816. Elder Joseph Cooley was first minister. Rev. Nathaniel Kendrick was pastor from 1817 to 1833. Meetings were held in the brick school house till the meeting house was built, which was accomplished in 1819 and '20. It was repaired and improved at an expense of over $1,200, in 1856.
The Congregational Church, of Eaton Village, was formed in 1831. It rapidly increased to a large society. Rev. John Foote was first pastor. His inaugural sermon was preached June 8, 1833, being the first sermon preached in the new house of worship. The town clock and bell were put up in this church belfry in 1848.
The Methodist Episcopal Church, of Eaton Village, was formed in 1856, from the West Eaton church. The meet- ing house was built the same year. First pastor, Rev. Mr. Hall. During the pastorate of Rev. B. W. Hamilton, in 1868, the house was extensively repaired.
Baptist Church of West Eaton. In 1820, a society of " Six Principle Baptists " was organized in this place, hold- ing their meetings in the school house. Elder Shaw was first pastor. This society divided, and from a portion of the members was formed the Baptist Society of " Leeville," in 1834. This society was subsequently merged into the church at Eaton. In 1853, the Baptist Church at West Eaton was organized. First pastor, Elder Daniel Putnam. The meeting house was built the same year.
The Methodist Episcopal Church, of West Eaton, was formed in 1841, having then seven members. Rev. Mr. Tremaine was first located pastor. In 1843, the meeting house was built on the hill. In 1869, during the pastorate
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of Rev. B. W. Hamilton, a new edifice, costing $15,000, was erected on Main street. The old church was sold for a public hall. The Eaton village church was formed from this in 1856.
The Methodist Church, of Pratts' Hollow, was formed as a class as early as 1810. Meetings were held in school . houses for many years. The society continued to prosper, although not large. In 1838, while Rev. Daniel Whedon was pastor in charge, the meeting house was built. The society has a large and excellent Sabbath school.
NEWSPAPERS.
The Madison Observer was removed from Cazenovia to Morrisville by Rice & Hall, its publishers, in the year 1822. In 1824, it was published by Bennett Bicknell, who, in 1839, purchased the " Hamilton Recorder," when the two were consolidated, and became
The Observer and Recorder. In 1832, this passed into the hands of H. C. Bicknell and James Norton, and in 1834, the latter became sole proprietor. In 1835, it was changed to
The Madison Observer. In 1839, J. and E. Norton became its publishers, and in 1856, Edward Norton, by whom it is still published. It is the oldest newspaper in Madison County, and has lived half a century in Morris- ville ; it has a strong hold upon the affections of its long- time readers; the old families of the county, of whatever party or creed, cling to the " Observer " as to an old friend, whose familiar face they have met each week for fifty years.
The Independent Volunteer, was started July 28, 1864, by G. R. Waldron and J. M. Chase. In August, 1865, it was issued by G. R. Waldron. September, 26, 1866, it was changed to
Waldron's Democratic Volunteer, and was moved to Hamilton, where it is now published by Waldron & Son.
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CHAPTER VII.
FENNER.
Boundaries. - Geography .- Perryville Falls .- Productions .- Ancient Route of Armies .- New Petersburgh Tract .-- Mile Strip .- Early Settlement .- Names of Settlers .- Experience of Pioneers .- Indians .- First Improvements .- Early Schools and Meetings .- Incidents of First Town Meeting of Smith- field .- Town Officers .- Organization and Naming of Town of Fenner .- Curious Names of Localities .- Fenner Corner .- Perryville, its Rise and Progress .- Oren S. Avery-Chitte- nango Falls Village .- Notices of Early Settlers .- Influential Men .- Prominent Families .- Churches.
Fenner is an interior town, lying northwest of the center of the county. It is bounded north by Sullivan and Lenox, east by Smithfield, south by Nelson, and west by Cazenovia. It was formed from Cazenovia and Smithfield April 22, 1823. It was given an area of forty square miles. As a town, no other in the county or counties adjoining, presents a greater elevation, or lies nearer the clear upper air than this. From one of the highest hills in School District No. 15, extensive views may be had of the Assembly District in which it is situated, together with portions of Onondaga, Oswego and Oneida Counties. From the generous bosom of her soil gushes innumerable fountains, the sources of more and greater streams than any other equal amount of territory in the county. In southern Fenner, the main branch of the Chittenango, which waters so much of Nelson and Cazenovia, has its rise and takes
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its circuitous southward course; and down declivities, numerous brooks hurry to join the Chittenango on the west border of the town. Large branches of Oneida Creek reach through Smithfield up among the Fenner hills, and draw from their plenteous springs. The Cowasselon finds one of its sources in the north east corner of the town ; and the Canaseraga, rising in the center, takes a northward course, passing from the town where Sullivan and Lenox corner, at Perryville.' Some of the most romantic scenery of New York State is found on the line of the Cazenovia and Canastota railroad in this town. Perryville Falls, on the Canaseraga, are thus described in a sketch published after a visit there in 1871 :
No one with any love of nature can afford to stop here without visiting Perryville Falls, for nature is generous in her wild and grand gifts. She must have been in one of her sublimest moods when she rent asunder the rocks, scooped out the debris and shaped the gorge, let the Canaseraga drop over the rocks, and planted the luxuriant foliage. Our way to the falls was led by a courageous young friend, down the natural stone steps, out upon the platform, where the path is perhaps some eight feet wide ; where the rocks tower in overhanging piles above, and where the abyss is fully 100 feet below. We were shown where once a man had slipped off and lodged in the tops of trees below, and thus escaped with his life ; another had climbed a slim tree, growing at the edge of the precipice, and registered his name high on the projecting rock above. We expected to find successive flights of stairs which would bring us some- where near the base of the falls, when our fair guide paused, and passing a few feet beyond, we found ourselves at the extreme limits of the path, on an overhanging rock, more than one hundred feet above terra firma. From here the view of the falls is very beautiful. The water plashes over many jutting points, forming a series of cascades, 130 feet high. The wild abyss, with its walled sides, protects its treas-
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ures of wild sweetness, luxuriant trees and shrubbery of manifold varieties and species, and echoes back the music of the cataract, and far along catches up the murmur of the Canaseraga, while it is borne as peacefully along its bed as if no wondrous feat had been performed in leaping from the hights. Couched upon that overhanging rock we viewed the scene with delight, wishing only that the Canaseraga were four times as large that its thunderings might shake the rocks ; then peering .over into the abyss, we took back the wish in very fear and awe ; then crept to the walled side of the path, clinging close to the rocks, thinking the while of the feeling of safety they gave, typical of the marvelous confidence felt when trusting in the "Rock that is higher than I." As we climbed the last stair, the upper landscape was as quietly sleeping in the setting sun, as if there was no yawning abyss close at hand. Although we have our romantic hills and vales in southern Madison county, yet, we commend the north side of the ridge for wild scenery, and the well-appointed Cazenovia and Canastota Railroad, which has opened a way to these mountain fastnesses.
Extensive marl beds are found in this town. On the banks of the Chittenango, calcarious tufa is quarried and burned into lime. Geologists have remarked that this region of country with its vast amount of excellent build- ing stone, its inexhaustible beds of lime and water lime, does not appear to be fully appreciated. The soil is a gravelly and clayey loam, well adopted to the raising of grain. Wheat, barley and wool constituted the staple market productions for many years ; no town in the county has exported so great an amount of barley, and nowhere has greater attention been paid to its cultivation. The " Hess barley " originated here .*
*In 1844, three heads of barley were discovered by Mr. David Hess, of Fen- ner, apparently very different from the main crop which he had sowed; these heads were noticed during the progress of the crop to maturity and carefully pre- served at the season of harvest. The three heads grew from one root and produced
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Although one of the later organized towns, Fenner has a pioneer history coeval with several of those organized at an early day. More remote than its pioneer records, is an un- written history of Indian hunters' encampments, and of scouting parties from the warring tribes in their strategetic detours to ascertain the strength and movements of the Oneidas. Here vast forests offered them secure retreats, and these elevated hights presented most favorable lookouts over the plains of the Oneida country, (now the towns of Lenox and Sullivan,) above the woodlands, across the marshy lowlands and incipient lakes, and beyond and over the beautiful expanse of Lake Oneida. The curling smoke of the wigwam ascending here and there above the trees of the low country forest, would indicate to the watchful eye of the enemy that the tribe was scattered about in the peaceful avocations of Indian life, hunting, fishing, basket making, or seeking the curiosities with which they manu- factured their wampum belts, thus predicting to them a favorable opportunity to descend upon and destroy their villages. Failing to witness these signs, the wary adven- turers would proceed with greater caution, treading the lonely Indian paths with stealthy feet, watchful, lest a well trained band of Oneidas should suddenly come upon them.
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