USA > New York > Madison County > History of Madison County, state of New York > Part 57
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Asahel C. Stone came to Peterboro with his father's family in 1808. He struggled with poverty in his youth, but gradually arose by his own efforts to a position of influ- ence. He was a well known and able lawyer. He held many prominent and responsible offices, in all of which he
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proved himself to be a man of superior ability, well sus- taining the confidence reposed in him. He was State Sen- ator from the 23d District in 1850, and at the time of his death, in 1866, he held the position of High Sheriff of Madison County. It was said of him, that, although esteem- ed and respected for his abilities, yet it was the kindness of his heart, his strong sympathy for human suffering which had most endeared him to all. He passed away at the age of 61 years.
THE EVANS FUND.
In 1848 William Evans, Esq., of Boston, deposited a fund of $ 10,000 in the hands of Gerrit Smith to endow a " Home" for the poor of the town of Smithfield. He appointed Ger- rit Smith first Treasurer, designating that at each subse- quent annual town meeting the legal voters should elect a suitable and responsible person as Treasurer. The provis- ions he made were, that the principal shall be loaned in sums of not over $1,000 upon good bond and mortgage se- curity ; and that as soon after 1862 as the accumulated in- terest amounts to a sufficient sum, a farm of not less than fifty acres, within one and a half miles of Peterboro, shall be bought, and suitable buildings erected thereon as a home for the needy ; where under the most favorable auspices they shall be made to forget the necessities of their condi- tion, and where habits of self-respect, self-reliance, industry, prudence and economy, the underlying principles of suc- cess, shall be nurtured, while the healthy comforts of life are being enjoyed.
The day which Mr. Evans set apart to execute his errand of love-the formal presentation of his gift-was Friday, September 3d, 1858, the forty-seventh anniversary of his birth. The day was one of festivities and rejoicing, a "red letter day in the calendar of Smithfield."*
William Evans was born in Smithfield of very poor parents,
* See Evans Memorial.
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September 3d, 1811. His earliest days were spent in poverty and privation ; but he inherited a good constitution and all the elements of physical and mental health. Trained to habits of industry, economy and morality by one of the wisest of mothers, the foundation of a grand and successful manhood was laid. He went into the world very young and very poor. In the course of years his name became coupled with the great enterprises of the day,-a heavy and successful con- tractor on public works. He amassed wealth, and devoted much of it to benevolent enterprises in various ways.
The Evans Fund in care of Gerrit Smith, who has con- tinued Treasurer, has increased from ten to fifteen thousand dollars. The proper establishment of the "Home" is under consideration, but in the mean time its benefits are felt by the destitute, for the trustees pay over three hundred dol- lars a year to a committee of three responsible ladies, to be used by them as their judgment shall dictate for the relief of the needy of the town. For a time the Evans Fund was, with his consent, used to endow the Peterboro Academy, which then had its name changed to "Evans Academy." This building is now (1872) used for the purposes of the Home for orphan children, it having been donated for that purpose by Gerrit Smith ; and by the consent of Mr. Evans the use of the Fund has been appropriated to establishing the Orphan's Home.
Peterboro Academy was incorporated January 23d, 1853. In 1860 a report states that it had 42 students, 14 of whom pursued classical studies. The value of its lot and build- ings at that time was $4,528 ; its library $207 ; apparatus $174. Total revenues $334; total expenditures $319. Number of volumes in the library 184.
At a subsequent period, the Evans Fund became an en- dowment for the Academy and it was then called the "Evans Academy." In 1870 the Academy building was donated for the Orphan Asylum, and the Presbyterian Church has been transformed into the Academy.
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The Orphans' Home in Peterboro village, was established here in 1870. The old Academy, a building of goodly pro- portions, three stories high, appropriately fitted up, was placed at the command of the Supervisors of the County, for the Home, by Gerrit Smith. Mr. Charles Blakeman and wife were appointed to take charge. Twenty children from the County Poor House were placed in their care. They are comfortably situated and resources for their advance- ment are constantly being multiplied.
PETER SMITH.
Peter Smith, the proprietor of the celebrated New Peters- burgh Tract, was born in Rockland County, N. Y., in the year 1768. Of his advantages in early life we have no data, but infer they were fair ; therefore we find him at the early age of sixteen (1784) entering as clerk in the counting- house of Abraham Herring & Co., of New York. For three years he served in this capacity, and where he was characterized for his brightness and activity, and his aptness in acquiring knowledge. From here, at the age of nine- teen, with a supply of goods for a country store, he removed and settled himself in trade at a small place called the " Fall Hill," about two miles below Little Falls. He remained but a year here, and then went to Old Fort Schuyler, where he put up a log store, nearly on the site of the Bagg Tav- ern. He continued in the mercantile business in Utica several years, and also built two fine residences there, the last of the two having a farm of 150 acres attached to it.
Mr. Smith's unusual success in trading with the Indians and in dealing in the fur trade, attracted the attention of other men of enterprise among whom was John Jacob Astor, who became a partner with him in the trade in furs. At a later period they were united in buying lands. By a dextrous improvement of every sale of public lands, Mr. Smith early acquired a large fortune, having become the possessor of extensive tracts in various parts of the State.
In 1794, he obtained the New Petersburgh tract of the
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Oneida Indians, the history of which is given in the forego- ing. In 1802, he removed to Whitesboro, where he resided until his removal to Smithfield in 1806. Here he built the family mansion, which has since been much changed and is now (1871) the home of Hon. Gerrit Smith.
Upon the organization of Madison County in 1806, Mr. Smith was chosen one of the Judges of the County ; in 1807, he was appointed first Judge, and continued to hold that position till 1821. It was said by the lawyers of that day that he made a most excellent magistrate, that although his school education was limited he wrote a bold and free hand, and expressed himself well ; that his knowledge of human nature was profound, and few words were spoken by him in conversation that were not worthy of recording.
All matters in his care received minute attention. He was known as a man of extensive knowledge, of careful habits and unceasing industry. Even among the Indians he was noted for those qualities, and in consequence they gave him the sobriquet of "Sawmill," meaning, " the man of incessant activity.
The following anecdote, entirely characteristic, is related of Judge Smith :- A poor man entered the office of the Judge and took a seat. After witnessing in silence for some time the ease and rapidity with which the Judge han- dled his papers and dispatched his business, he drew a heavy sigh and burst out with the abrupt question :- " Judge Smith, what must I do to become a rich man ?" Dropping his pen and drawing down his spectacles as he raised his head, the Judge replied at once, yet deliberately, " Mr. Lawson, you must be born again."
Sagacious and shrewd, he was also active and untiring in his efforts to accumulate, yet he was a man of his word, and too wise to be dishonest. Independent and fearless, he was at the same time modest and unassuming, and held himself as no more than the equal of those of lesser means. Excessively plain in his dress and equipage, and
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frugal in all his ways, he was even lavish where his feel- ings were enlisted ; for these feelings were deep, and his affections ardent. In person he was five feet and eight inches high, and rather stout. The most striking features were his curved nose and hawk eye, which latter was keen and penetrating. His readiness of resource, and his promptness to circumvent a rival are well illustrated in a story that has already appeared in print, which is as fol- lows :- He was lodging one night at Post's Tavern, at the same time that Messrs. Phelps and Gorham were also guests. Mr. Smith occupied a room which was separated from the other land speculators by a very thin partition. In the night he heard them whispering together about a certain valuable tract of land which they were on the point of buying. Rising from his bed and summoning the land- lord for his horse, he was soon on his way to the land-office, at Albany. When Messrs. Phelps and Gorham had finish- ed their night's rest, and taken their breakfast, they jogged on leisurely to the same destination. What was their surprise when near the end of their journey, to encounter on his way back, Mr. Smith, whom they had so recently seen in Old Fort Schuyler, and how much more astonished to learn on reaching the office at Albany, that the coveted prize was his. Messrs. Phelps and Gorham paid Mr. Smith a handsome bonus for his bargain.
Skenandoah, the "white man's friend," was regarded by Judge Smith with warm friendship, and he was frequently visited by the aged chief. So harmonious was their inti- macy that Mr. Smith named one of his sons, Peter Sken- andoah Smith, in honor of this last chief of the Oneidas and in memory of their friendship.
Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Smith, all dur- ing their residence in Utica. Cornelia, wife of Capt. Coch- rane, Peter Sken. (Skenandoah,) Adolphus, who died at the age of 45 years, and Gerrit. In his marriage, Mr. Smith connected himself with the Livingston family, so well and
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honorably known in the early history of New York State. His wife was the daughter of Col. James Livingston of the revolutionary army, and sister of the wife of the late Hon. Daniel Cady, of Johnstown, N. Y. She was a woman esteemed for her piety, for her rare intellectual gifts, and all the graces that adorn the true lady. She died August 27, 1818.
Up to the year 1819, Judge Smith resided in Peterboro, attending to the various duties of his public office, and the arduous labors connected with the management of his large estate. At this period he conveyed his estates to his son Gerrit, and spent many of his last years in traveling. He finally settled in Schenectady, where he died April 1 3, 1837.
Peter Skenandoah Smith, who died in 1857, was the eld- est son of Peter Smith, born in 1795. ' The noble and gen- erous qualities of his mind and heart made him greatly beloved by all who knew him. He died in Oswego, N, Y., at the age of sixty-three.
HON. GERRIT SMITH.
Gerrit Smith was born in Utica, March 6, 1797. He received his education at Clinton, graduating at Ham- ilton College with the highest honors of his class in 1818. In the language of Rev. Albert Barnes, once a fellow stu- dent with him, "his high social position, warm, generous nature, and acknowledged talents and scholarship, led to a universal expectation of a high career of honor and use- fulness." His life has more than verified these expectations, but quite likely in a direction least expected. The intel- lectual world was, perhaps, best acquainted with his quali- ities, yet it knew little of the individuality of the man, and little foresaw the career he would mark out for himself.
In the year 1819, Gerrit Smith married Miss Wealtha, only daughter of President Backus, of Hamilton College. Seven months of happy wedded life followed, and then
Eng'd by A. H. Ritchie.
ยท
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death bereaved him. With his affectionate and impulsive nature, thus thrown back upon himself, he redoubled his vigilance and energy in the care of the large estate, con- veyed to him by his father, (Nov. Ist of the same year,) and thus bore up manfully under his early affliction. In January, 1822, he was again married to Miss Ann Carroll, daughter of Colonel Fitzhugh, formerly of Maryland. Of a family of seven children born to them, but two lived to the years of maturity. These are Mrs. Charles D. Miller, residing at Geneva, N. Y., and Greene C. Smith of Peter- boro.
With a heart full and overflowing with sympathy for all classes of unfortunates, and with abundant means at his command, Mr. Smith early identified himself with the benev- olent enterprises of the day. In 1825 he connected himself with the American Colonization Society, with the hope that its projects and efforts would be successful and lead to speedy emancipation. He gave largely for its interests, but in 1835 he withdrew and connected himself with the American Anti-Slavery Society, as a surer prospect of accomplishing the desired result.
Though by inheritance and purchase from fellow heirs a large land-holder, he nevertheless became strongly opposed to land monopoly and practically illustrated his sentiments by the distribution of 200,000 acres of land, in part amongst institutions of learning, but mostly among poor white and black men. His largest gifts in money have been in aid of emancipation and to assist the poor in buying homes. He made it a rule to give all he could spare.
Mr. Smith was never a regular student of law, yet he was admitted to practice in State and Federal Courts in 1853. He had been a student of men, measures, and stat- utes during a third of a century, and became a lawyer of rank through a steady, healthy growth of intellect.
In 1861, and at intervals all through the war of the re- bellion, he made public speeches in favor of a vigorous and
T2
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uncompromising prosecution of the war, and from time to time wrote and published circulars in the interest of the Union cause.
For many years he had advocated by public speeches, published essays and appeals, a larger liberty of opinion and freedom from what he believed to be the bondage of sect. In 1856, a volume of his speeches in Congress was published ; in 1861 another volume was issued, entitled "Sermons and Speeches ;" in 1868 "Letters of Rev. Albert C. Barnes and Gerrit Smith" appeared.
Mr. Smith's religion is as comprehensive as his principles of freedom. It is essentially a religion of love. "Do unto others as you would they should do to you" is the religion of his life, taught by him in precept and by example. It fills his heart with the deepest sympathy and the broadest phi- lanthropy ; and yet, from convictions which have settled themselves in his mind after the maturity of years of study and reflection, it is emphatically a religion of reason, which discards all statements not based upon proofs which can be substantiated by the essence of truth ; it must be taught by facts, and not fancies. But in throwing away all that he cannot reconcile with his ideas of truth, he might remove the foundation upon which another's reason would stand. Let him place a broader, firmer stepping stone, not too high, before removing the rock on which the millions have rested their faith! He holds that the religion of rea- son is tolerant and patient, because men are conscious that reason, mixed as it is in the human breast with ignorance, prejudice and passion, is not to be relied on as an entire- ly infallible guide.
Against Slavery, Land Monopoly, Intemperance, and for Woman's Rights, he launched the force of his master intel- lect, always telling with powerful effect wherever directed
In 1852, when elected to Congress, in defining his politi- cal position he thus gave a few of the "peculiarities," as he terms them, of his political creed :
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"Ist, That it acknowledges no law and knows no law for slavery ; that not only is slavery not in the Federal Consti- tution, but that by no possibility could it be brought either into the Federal or in a State Constitution." It seems, that having defined his principles he went to Congress with no other aim than to defend and enforce them on every occa- sion when they were legitimate, or pertinent in debate. His memorable, speech on the Nebraska Bill brought up again the ever recurring question of Slavery ; and here he siezed theopportunity to enlighten the Honorable Body, the House, in his view of the laws of God and humanity.
" 2d. The right to the soil is as natural, absolute and equal, as the right to the light and air." The " Home- stead Bill" called forth his masterly appeal for " homes for all," yet when the bill came up amended so as to limit the . grant of land to white persons, he voted against it, "and that to" he says " nothwithstanding I have for so many years loved, advocated and acted upon, the great essential principles of the bill." He adds :- " The curse of God is upon the bill, or there is no God. There is no God, if we have liberty to insult and outrage any portion of His child- ren."
" 3d. That political rights are not conventional, but natural, inhering in all persons, the black as well as the white, the female as well as the male."
Witness this defense of a theory unpopular now, scarcely thought worthy of respectful notice then-" Woman's Suf- frage."
" 4th. That the doctrine of " free trade," is the necessary outgrowth of the doctrine of human brotherhood ; and that to impose restrictions on commerce is to build up unnatural and sinful barriers across that brotherhood."
" 5th, That national wars are as brutal, barbarous and un- necessary, as are the violence and bloodshed to which mis- guided and frenzied individuals are prompted, and that our country should, by her own Heaven-trusting and beautiful
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example, hasten the day when the nations of the earth shall " beat their swords into ploughshares and their spears into pruning hooks; when nation shall not lift up sword against nation, nor learn war any more."
"6th. That the province of the Government is but to pro- tect persons and property ; and that the building of rail- roads and canals, and the care of schools and churches, fall entirely outside of its limits and exclusively within the range of the 'voluntary principle.' Narrow, however, as are these limits, every duty within them is to be promptly, faith- fully, and fully performed :- as well, for instance, the duty on the part of the Federal Government to put an end to the dram-shop manufacture of paupers and madmen in the city of Washington, as the duty on the part of the State Government to put an end to it in the State."
" 7th. That as far as practicable, every officer, from the highest to the lowest, including especially the President and Postmaster, should be elected directly by the people."
In his speech on the then late war with Mexico, also that on the Pacific Railroad Bill, his letter to Senator Hamlin on the Reciprocity Treaty, and his speech on the bill mak- ing appropriations to the naval service, he availed himself of the privilege to defend and enforce his views of each subject. How heroically he battled for his principles of right the reader of those speeches will readily feel. In the bill making appropriations for the naval service, he en- deavored to introduce the following clause :- " but no intoxicating liquors shall be provided as a beverage." In a speech glowing with earnestness and anxiety for our nation- al welfare he insisted on its adoption,-only to see it fail. This was in July, 1854. He still persists in his arguments and entreaties to the people-finding that the government fails-to do away with all dram-shops and liquor selling. Just so persistently he fought against slavery, wisely direct- ing his forces, until he saw the huge superstructrue of evil crumbling before him. The crisis came in a manner he had
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not sought and sooner than he had presumed to hope ; "he had builded better than he knew."
One cannot rise from the reading of his speeches in Con- gress without beholding the man, as with the interior sight, in all the grandeur of his high manhood, standing alone, surrounded by opposing forces, boldly declaring most un- popular theories, defending with the might of a Hercules the rights of the down trodden slave. His cool, clear brain was never confused; God-given power inspired utterances of God's truth ; he wrought under the illumination of the fires he had kindled upon the altars of truth, freedom, and universal brotherhood; the weight of justly balanced argu- ments convinced ; his comprehensive mind weighed nation against nation, excusing not our own national sins more than those of others. He was a patriot, but more, a phi- lanthropist. If he erred, it was in the way of according too large liberty to the people ; for he advocated the principle that "the less a people are governed the better they are governed."
But Gerrit Smith never loved the arena of political war- fare ; his deep sense of the wrongs which have been allowed to exist with no voice of authority lifted against them, has been all that has drawn him from the peaceful rural life he loves so well. Having been the manager, as well as the possessor, of the extensive landed estate inherited from his father, his general tastes and habits were of the more quiet and retired class. Amid the surroundings of nature, his great philanthropy and the wonderful sympathy for his fel- . low-men has been in great part developed. Much of the vast property gathered by the shrewd management and thrifty enterprise of the father, has been judiciously and wisely distributed by the son, in obedience to the holy les- sons learned.
In his home, wealth has been expended for the cultivation of all intellectual tastes and domestic virtues, and everything is in keeping with the largest hospitality. Harmony and
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affection preside. Mrs. Smith is a lovely woman. Her devoted and religious character is conspicuous, and her fine and elevated mind grasps the beautiful and the pure, and worships the noble and the good.
SILOAM.
This small village is located in a deep valley, through which the Cowassalon Creek flows. On the east rises the ridge, or rather stretch of highland, which separates the Oneida Creek, or Stockbridge valley, from the Cowassalon valley. Westerly rises another range of the water-shed. The old Peterboro Turnpike passes through this village. As one descends the steep hills from the westward, at a curve in the road he is suddenly surprised at the sight of the little " ville" nestled so cosily at the base of the hills in the narrow, deep valley. He sees first-and conspicuously from his standpoint -- on the pretty landscape, the round, or octagon building painted white, Mr. Hardy's apiary. It is constructed on the most modern or scientific plan for bee- keeping. He sees at least two large buildings, which were once taverns, one of which is converted into a cheese facto- ry ; and then the old Baptist church, somewhat hoary with age, not a large building, and without a steeple-an append- age it never had-in the rear of which is the old burial ground, with many old, and some new headstones. This last was built about 1820. Siloam has now, (1872,) some fifteen or twenty dwelling houses, some of them not in the style of to-day, and wearing the aspect of age, though they were reckoned pretty cottages in the day of their erection.
This place was settled about 1803. Its first pioneer is said to have been John or George Gregg. The next were Capt. Joseph Black, a Mr. Cowen and a John and Jacob De Mott.
Capt. Joseph Black kept the first tavern of the place, in a log house, about 1804 or '05 ; the next was kept by his son, John Black, and the third by J. Ellenwood, about 1808, in a small house built by himself. This building was demol-
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ished in the summer of 1871, thus obliterating a rather old landmark. The first grist mill of the village-the one in operation now-was built in 1810, by Jeremiah Ellenwood and Elijah Manley, and the first saw mill, in the same year, by Ellenwood and David Coe. The present owner of this grist mill is Hosea W. Holmes. The first store was kept by Alexander Ostrander and John Black, in 1821 or '22, but it started on a small scale as is illustrated by the follow- ing :- A few days after it was opened, one of the proprie- tors seeing a citizen that lived a mile or so out of the vil- lage, invited him in to see his store. The citizen walked in and apparently surveyed its contents with some degree of surprise, and then exclaimed, "Nice ! very nice ! just such an establishment as every man wants for his own conven- ience."
Benjamin Palmer was the first physician located in Si- loam.
In addition to the business of this place as above men- tioned, there were built at a later day a brewery and a distil- lery, by J. Ellenwood, another distillery by Daniel Dickey, (once a Member of Assembly,) and the third by Wilbur & Wales. These distilleries furnished whisky enough for the whole surrounding country. For some years before the Chenango Canal was completed, the two taverns of the place dealt out at retail about one hundred barrels yearly, there being in those years a large business done by teams, which furnished them patronage, hauling plaster through this sec- tion to the southern counties of the State. After the canal was opened the resident population refused to sustain these institutions by dram-drinking patronage, and they went down. There is now no inn in the place; but any respectable appear- ing traveller is able to obtain comfortable entertainment of the well-to-do citizens.
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