USA > New York > Madison County > History of Madison County, state of New York > Part 54
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* Clark's Onondaga makes the above statements.
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In addition to the pioneers already named, we may mention the following, who came at a late date, and whose descendants are scattered throughout this region :- Briggs, White, Eastford, Owen, Crownhart, Dunham, Hosley and others.
At Owen's Point, are several Indian mounds, supposed to contain the remains of Oneida Chiefs. Near one stands a large beech tree, hollow and open at one side, from which it is said the skeleton of an Indian was once taken."
Although the numerous wild beasts kept the settlers in venison, yet bears in their depredations destroyed more than their carcasses profited the hunter. Flocks were often dec- imated by wolves. Fifty-three years ago at Brigg's Bay, from a good sized flock of sheep, seventeen were killed in one night by wolves. They were troublesome all over the town. Mr. French states that in 1809 Elisha Swift, of Can- aseraga, had five calves killed by wolves in one night. He became instrumental in getting a law passed whereby a bounty of forty dollars per head for every wolf killed, was granted. Deer have been known to feed with the cows in the wood, and when the latter was driven up at the close of day, lie down for the night, and as the cows returned in the morning, join them again for the day. Hunting became a lucrative business.
The customs of that day were quite different from those at present. The people went much in batteaux on the lake and streams. There were Indians everywhere. Fleets of as many as thirty canoes were often seen crossing the lake, laden with Indians.
Rev. Austin Briggs, originally from Connecticut, in 1812, was the pioneer minister of this region. He first settled in Manlius on his "soldier's right" but soon found he had a spurious title. On discovering this he took his family and effects and came to Sullivan, on the shore of Oneida lake, and there lived in a log house. He afterwards built a house about two miles east of Bridgeport. Rev. Briggs belonged to the M. E. Conference ; was for a time local and then or- dained minister. In his clerical labors he traveled through out the northern part of this and Onondaga Counties, where
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he was well known. He traversed the new country on horse- back, and often on foot, on account of bad roads, and some- times in canoes on the lake and rivers. Austin P. Briggs, Esq., of Bridgeport, is a son of Rev. Austin Briggs.
NORTHERN SULLIVAN.
Some considerable progress had been made in settling the central and southern portions of Sullivan, while the northern part, bordering on Oneida Lake, was yet a wilder- ness. Chittenango and vicinity was settled several years before the woodman's ax was heard along the lake shore. Sometime during the year 1811, a man by the name of Fogger came and built a cabin on what is now familiarly known as " Randall's Point," about a half mile northwest of Lakeport. At that time there was no regularly laid out road along the lake shore. Fogger stayed about three or four years, and then disappeared from the scene, leaving no other memento to those who should come after him, than his name as associated with the Point, now known as we have just said, as Randall's. Tradition, however, if nothing more, will keep alive the name of Fogger, and that point of land to the northwest of Lakeport, extending out into the lake, in conjunction with a similar point on the east, form- ing what is familiarly called "the Bay," by the inhabitants, will be associated with his name, regardless of what may have been his life's career elsewhere.
About this time, the settlement of the country round about the place known as Lakeport, may be said to have actually commenced. Reuben Spencer, who had been a sea-faring man in his younger days, and who was of good Connecticut stock, arrived on the scene accompanied by his wife, and set himself down to make a permanent settle- ment. He purchased a large tract of land, beautifully sit- uated on the lake, through which ran a creek of consider- able volume and rapidity at the time, and on which, subse- quently, was erected the first saw mill in the vicinity of Lakeport. Mr. Spencer, who lived to be an old man,
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and to see all of his numerous family of children mar- ried and settled in life, with children of their own, departed this life some ten years ago. Those who knew him best have always spoken of him as an excellent man. His wife was greatly respected, and was in all respects a "strong woman." She had considerable knowledge of medicines and nursing ; hence was a useful woman withal, in those early times. She died a few years before her husband. Mr. Spencer was a great story teller, and during the last few years of his life, lived almost entirely in the past, pay- ing but little attention to passing events around him. He could tell a story to the last, and tell it well, and no one delighted more than he, when the apple harvest was over, and his cellar well supplied with the rich juice and the delicious fruit, to treat with good stories and good cheer, all who called upon him. Mrs. Spencer was an eminently pious woman, attaching great importance to a public pro- fession of religion. She was a member of the M. E. church at the time of her death.
The same year that Mr. Spencer came, there arrived also two others from Connecticut, Mr. Zina Bushnell, and Mr. William Williams, the former, from Saybrook, the latter from Brandon. Several others from other parts came about the same time and settled farther east on the lake shore, on what is now known as the "Tract." Deacon Reuben Bushnell and Mr. Cadwell may be mentioned as among the most prominent in settling and in shaping the early histo- ry of their section of Northern Sullivan. They, with oth- ers, came, fully imbued with New England ideas, and when they became sufficiently numerous to form a religious soci- ety, they adopted the religious doctrines of Jonathan Ed- wards, and lived them in the full faith and simplicity of their day.
Mr. Zina Bushnell purchased a farm on the east side of the bay, and being strong and enterprising soon made con- siderable improvements. About this time the State Road
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was surveyed and laid out by authority of the Land Office Department at Albany. Richard Chapman, now living, and one of the early settlers, and also one of the most in- telligent and reliable of men, dates the survey of this road at 1810 or 'II. It was a section of the main road from Albany through the State, and when laid out there was little else than a dense wilderness on its route. For years the road along the lake shore was but a mere trail or foot- path. Mr. Wm. Williams, who is still living, (1871,) and remembers with vivid distinctness the hardships incident to his pioneer life, is authority that bears and wolves were often met with in the woods and seen crossing this road by the inhabitants, when on their way and back from Bridge- port, then a rude settlement consisting of not much else than a grist mill and tavern.
As early as 1818, Zina Bushnell erected a brick house, the first brick building in northern Sullivan. The brick were made by himself on his own farm. About the same time the creek, known as "Douglass Ditch," was dug as a necessary outlet of the immense quantities of water, that accumulated on the great swamp, or " Fly," to the lake. This ditch drained some eight or ten thousand acres of low, swampy land lying south of Lakeport ; 8,400 acres were made to contribute towards defraying the cost, by being taxed $2 per acre by act of the Legislature. The whole of this original swamp was a vast area extending east to Rome. Mr. Bushnell, in order to accommodate a portion of the men employed ou this ditch, and also meet the wants of such travelers as found their way through that section, turned his house into a tavern, and kept it as such some five years. Mr. Bushnell had his brick house, but this was the era of log houses, sawed lumber being difficult to pro- cure. A saw mill was erected at Bridgeport, however, several years before, where small quantities could be obtained for finishing purposes ; but it was not till 1835, that the first saw mill was built in the vicinity of Lakeport,
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on a little stream called " Spencer's Creek," near the lake shore. This enterprise was accomplished by the joint efforts of Zina Bushnell, Reuben Spencer, Merrit Kelsey and Jacob H. Spencer. The location, however, was bad, and the water power insufficient ; it proved to be a poor investment pecuniarily, but it was operated some five years and supplied considerable much needed lumber to the steadily multiplying settlers. In 1839, Richard Chapman and Julius Bushnell erected a saw mill on Douglass' Ditch. For some time it was run successfully, but at last, getting into litigation with the State, the proprietors became greatly embarrassed, and like the saw mill last mentioned, this went down, its owners being heavy losers. In 1816, William Williams, and brother, built a tannery at or near the mouth of Douglass' Ditch. It was operated some seven or eight years and then abandoned.
Ridgeville .- This is an old settled locality. At this place was organized one of the early churches of the town-Presby- terian. At one time this Presbyterian society was strong in numbers and wealth. About 1828 they built a good church edifice.
Bolivar, a landing place on the Erie Canal, is located one mile west of Chittenango landing. It is an old settled place. The first Sunday School in the town of Sullivan was held by Abram Walrath, in the house of Mr. Lincoln, in Bolivar, about 1820. Mr. Lincoln's son William now (1870) resides in the same house.
Fyler Settlement is a pleasant little place, located about two and a half miles north from Chittenango Depot. At this place there is a steam saw mill and a stave and heading factory, owned by Mr. Fyler, from whom the settlement takes its name. A Methodist Church was lately built here.
The murder of Robert Barber, of Coleraine, Mass., by Lewis Wilbur, a native of Saratoga, N. Y., on August 30,
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1837, transpired in this town near the canal, at a point about half way between Lee's Bridge at New Boston, and Chit- tenango Landing. The murder was committed for Bar- ber's money. Wilbur was arrested, convicted and hung in Morrisville, Oct. 3d, 1839. The intense and wide spread excitement at the time, cannot be forgotten by the people of that day.
In concluding these sketches of Sullivan, we give, by way of recapitulation of its first thirty years, an extract from a communication to the author, dated April 15, 1872, written by the still firm hand and in the yet graphic diction of the venerable Hon. Wm. K. Fuller, now of Schenectady, who, when he penned it, was within a few months of eighty years old :-
"More than three-fourths of the territory of Sullivan up to the year 1816, was a wilderness frequented by bears, deer and other wild animals indigenous to the forests of this State. Its princi- pal settlements by white people were along and near the line of the Seneca Turnpike Road, which was opened to public use in the year 1800. Before the opening of that road many immi- grants from the east had found their way to the 'Military Tract,' which was brought into market not long after the conclusion of the revolutionary war; but the improvement of the adjoining
Indian reservation, of which the northern portion of Madison County formed a part, did not commence till some years after many settlements had been made by white people within the limits of that tract and west of it. Such settlements could only he concurrent with the extinguishment of the Indian title, which in Madison County was held by the Oneida Indians and ceded by them to the State in limited parcels whenever impelled by their necessities, or by outside influences of less credit to hu- manity. The last cession was made about 1830, and the rem- nant of the tribe (with a few exceptions,) removed, at the expense of the State, to a tract of land near the Winnebago Lake in Wis- consin."
Mr. Fuller adds the following just tribute :- "The rapid in- crease of the population and wealth of the town of Sullivan sub- sequent to 1816, was in a great measure owing to the enterpris- ing spirit of Hon. John B. Yates."
John Owen French, who died in 1808, in the 40th year of his age; had four sons-Horatio, Jarius, Samuel and Thomas
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-all of whom were born in the town of Williamsburgh, near Northampton, Mass., and came to Sullivan with their father. They spent their long and useful lives here, living within a mile of each other near Canaseraga. They be- came men of standing and influence ; they were self-made men, hence were strong in character and fit to lead in many worthy enterprises ; they helped to establish order and good society in the town of their adoption, and in turn were hon- ored by the confidence of the people ; numerous official trusts were committed to their care. Jarius French was made Justice of the Peace by the Council of Appointments, and afterwards by, the votes of the people of Sullivan. He served in this office with great ability and to the satisfaction of his townmen for near fifty years.
Samuel French was Census Marshal for Madison County in 1830, and Sheriff for the County from 1844 to 1847. In these and other positions of trust he acquitted himself with credit.
Horatio French, besides holding many places of trust in his town, was for many years Under Sheriff, an office which was held also by his brother Thomas for many years. The latter held this position on the decease of his brother Sam- uel, whose term as Sheriff of the County he filled out ; he was also Under Sheriff under Gen. Messenger, and on the latter's decease filled out his term.
Dr. Samuel Kennedy the pioneer physician of Chitte- nango, was from Coleraine, Mass. He became a graduate of Fairfield, Herkimer County, Medical School. He com- menced practice in Herkimer, where he married Mary Ann Livingston in 1815. He soon removed to the town of Sul- livan, settling first at Canaseraga, and afterwards at Chitte- nango, where he devoted the remainder of his life to the practice of his profession.
Dr. Kennedy was emphatically the physician of the people ; his ready sympathy for suffering made him emi- nently the poor man's friend. Always obedient to the calls
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of duty, he served the public in his professional capacity, whether he was paid or not, consequently his large practice did not bring an adequate recompense. Quiet, unassuming, and unselfish, he pursued his own course, obeying the con- victions of his conscience without fear of the opinions of others. He had also great energy, perseverance and strength of character, with great liberality of views, and quietly though firmly acted upon his principles. He was one of the early Abolitionists, and voted for James Birney in 1844. He died in 1849, aged 59 years.
Charles L. Kennedy, County Judge and Surrogate of Madison County, is a son of Dr. Samuel Kennedy.
HON. JOHN B. YATES.
He was the youngest child of Christopher and Jane Yates, and was born in Schenectady, N. Y., in 1784. His father, an officer in the revolution, died during his infancy. In the year 1802, at the early age of 18, he graduated at Union College, and soon after entered upon the study of the law with his brother, the Hon. Henry Yates. In 1805, he was admitted to the bar, and during the seven years following addressed himself with unremitting diligence to the labors of the profession he had chosen. In the war of 1812, he was commissioned a Captain by Gov. Tompkins and raised a volunteer company of horse artillery. With this company he joined the army of Gen. Hampton, and served under that General during the unfortunate winter campaign of 1813, in the northern woods of this State.
At the expiration of the war he was elected Member of the 14th United States Congress from the 13th (Sche- nectady and Scoharie) District, term of 1815 and '16, in which he took a prominent and active part. After the close of his Congressional term he removed to Utica, where he resumed the functions of his legal profession. Soon, how- ever, he changed his home to Chittenango. The Governor, on retiring from office in 1817, to assume the duties of Vice-President of the United States, appointed him sole
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manager of the "Literature Lotteries" of the State, con- fidence in which had been lost by the misconduct of the managers who immediately preceded him. In consequence of the acceptance of this trust, it became necessary for him to remove to the city of New York, which he did, and did not resume his residence in Chittenango till 1825 ; but during his residence in the city he frequently visited Chit- tenango, to examine and direct the conduct of those in charge of his large estate, which consisted of about 2,000 acres of land, flouring mills, saw mills, oil mill, lime and plaster mill, woolen factory, stores, dry dock and yards for building and repairing boats, Polytechnic school, and vari- ous residences and other buildings. At times, as many as 150 men were in his employ. The result of his manage- ment of the lotteries was, that he brought them to a success- ful termination before the expiration of the time limited by the Legislature.
He also became interested in the commercial importance of the Welland Canal, at a time when its stock holders were nearly sinking for want of funds, and invested to the amount of $137,000.
In Madison County and particularly in his adopted town, his services were of incalculable value. He cast his influ- ence in favor of the Erie Canal, as well as other enterprises, already enumerated.
In 1828, he received the appointment of Judge of the County Court, which position he held for a short period and resigned. He was, however, subsequently appointed first Judge of the County, which office, together with being a Member of the Assembly, he held at the time of his decease. Although he seemed especially fitted for public stations, he studiously avoided political preferment and place ; and it was only by the partiality of his fellow citizens that he was raised to those stations of public trust which he so nobly adorned.
Hon. John B. Yates died at his residence in Chittenango
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on the 10th day of July, 1836, aged 52 years. His death was felt as a great public calamity, and every incident con- nected with his sickness, which was brief, was published at every issue of the press of the country ; and when his death was announced, it was received with heartfelt expres- sions of sorrow and regret, and a large proportion of the newspapers of the country were draped in mourning, for a great and good man had fallen.
The following extract from one of the newspapers of the day, but adds one of the many high eulogies upon his life :
"In his death, community at large have sustained a loss. His influence was felt throughout the length and breadth of at least our State, if not of the country, during the last session of the Legislature. The place of his residence must necessarily feel the severity of the stroke of Divine Providence in this bereavement. The whole community is agitated under its influ- ence-its shock is universal -their loss cannot be repaired. Not only his influence, but his public spirit was felt in his efforts to elevate their moral and intellectual condition, and in devising and executing schemes of public improvement, for their tempo- ral and eternal prosperity. He descends to the grave, it is con- fidently believed, not only without an enemy, but enjoying the esteem of all his acquaintances, and the unqualified love of all who had the happiness of becoming his friends.
In his decease, the wife has been bereaved of a tender and affectionate husband-the relatives a generous and benevolent brother and friend-the widow and fatherless of a benefactor ---- the poor of one whose charities were profuse-and the cause of Christ an able defender and generous supporter."
As he devoted his mind and his means with such assidui- ty, he effected for the village of Chittenango a greater pros- perty than any other person ; hence he was regarded as the founder of the village. In fact the history of Chittenango is everywhere marked by his munificent deeds.
His desire for the advancement of education induced him to found, at his own expense, the Polytechnic College in Chittenango, which was ably conducted for nearly ten years.
His financial operations, in connection with his partners,
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raised Union College from a state of comparative insolven- cy to that of opulence and distinction. To carry out his views in regard to the proper conduct of institutions for a thorough practical and literary education, as well as an ele- vated moral training, he made careful arrangements in his will for the bestowal of a large amount of his property to this end.
Had his views been carried out by our State Legislature, as has since been done for Cornell University, an institu- tion like that would have been established, and in success- ful operation thirty years ago. Chittenango might have had the advantage of its location, and one generation more at least have been blest with its fruits ; whereas, that sum designed by him for this noble use, has realized little of its intended worthy purposes, although his trustees used their utmost endeavors to bring the Legislature to concur with his plans.
In Walnut Grove Cemetery, south of Chittenango village, can be seen the monument erected to his memory. Carved upon the stone is the noble face of one whose numerous good deeds are inscribed in the enduring marble.
In the Reformed Church there is also placed a neat me- morial tablet, which has the following inscription :-
Sacred The To
Memory of the Hon. John B. Yates, Who Died July 10th, 1836.
He was eminently possessed of the characteristics of a great and good man, ever distinguished for his philanthropy and be- nevolence.
As a friend he was generous and changeless. By this society his name is deservedly cherished with grateful and affectionate remembrance.
In the erection of this house of worship, he was deeply inter- ested, and toward the completion of the object was the most lib- eral benefactor.
The memory of the just is blessed : Prov. 10 : 7. The liber- al deviseth liberal things and by liberal things he shall stand : Isa 32 : 81.
R2
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HON. WM. K. FULLER .- He was born in Schenectady, N. Y., on the 24th day of November, 1792. His father, Jeremiah Fuller, on his father's side was a lineal descend- ant of Samuel Fuller, one of the Puritans who landed from the ship Mayflower, at Plymouth Rock in 1620; and on the side of his mother, of one of the Holland families that founded Schenectady. The mother of Wm. K. Fuller, Mary Kendall, was born in Yorkshire, England, and came to this country with her father and brother about the year 1787. Mr. Fuller was educated in the schools of his native place ; he graduated at Union College, studied law in the office of Henry and John B. Yates and was admitted to practice in the Supreme Court in the year 1814. Shortly after his admission, he entered into partnership with John B. Yates. In the summer of 1814 they moved to Utica, Oneida Co., opened an office and practiced law there until the spring of 1816, when they removed to Chittenango, then a village of about 100 inhabitants. During his resi- dence in Utica he was appointed Master in Chancery, At- torney for the Oneida, Stockbridge and Brothertown In- dians, and Quarter-master of a regiment of Militia. While a resident of Chittenango, he was appointed to and executed the duties of the following offices and trusts, namely :- Justice of the Peace twice, Town Clerk, Postmaster, Aid- de-Camp to the General of Brigade with the rank of Cap- tain, Brigade Judge Advocate with the rank of Major, Di- vision Inspector with the rank of Colonel, Attorney for Madison County, Adjutant General of the State of New York, Commissioner under the acts to drain the great Can- aseraga marsh, Supervisor twice, Commissioner of High- ways, Judge of the Madison County Court of Common Pleas, School Trustee, Member of Assembly twice in suc . cession, (1829 and '30,) and twice in succession a Member in Congress from the Twenty-Third District, composed of the Counties of Madison and Onondaga. He gave up the practice of law in 1823. Early in that year he was ap-
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pointed Adjutant General by Gov. Yates, serving through his administration and six months under Gov. Clinton, his successor in office being unable to assume its duties. Gov. Clinton issued "a General Order" complimentary of his ser- vices as Adjutant General and caused it to be published in the State paper. His last term in Congress ended March 3d, 1837. Since that date he has paid very little attention to matters of public concern. Up to 1852 his time was given to his own affairs and to the settlement of the large estate of his deceased friend and former partner, Hon. J. B. Yates, of whose will he was one of the executors. Soon after the settlement of that estate, he became interested in property in Canada, and thenceforth his time has been divided be- tween that country and his native State.
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