USA > New York > Madison County > History of Madison County, state of New York > Part 59
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MADISON COUNTY.
documents as, West Hill Tract, East Hill Tract, Mile Strip, Oneida Creek Tract, New Guinea Tract, &c. As late as 1842 and 1847 agreements were executed between the Com- missioners of the Land Office and the Stockbridge Indians of Wisconsin, relative to certain lots in Stockbridge.
After the State had obtained possession of these tracts they were purchased by white settlers, many of whom had previously rented. We have the names of some of the pur- chasers on those tracts ; how many were early settlers we are unable to tell. They were :- Oliver Robbins, Nathaniel Hurd, Michah Higley, John J. Knox, Northeast part of Stockbridge ; Heman Grover, Jonathan West, Moses Wheeler, Thaddeus Muzzy, Joel Smith, Wm. H. Smith, Nathan Marvin, Erastus Brewer, Fancis Greene and David Manchester, East Hill Tract ; Justus Durkee, Philo Chapel, Thomas Hart, Chapin Kelly, George Gregg, Thomas Reilly, Joseph Tucker, Michael Carr, John Murray, James Moon, Cornelius Patrick, James Newkirk, Lyman G. Sloan, Syl- vester Pettibone, and Herman Knox, West Hill Tract ; James Burleson, Harvey White, Varnum Jaquay and David Powers, Mile Tract, New Stockbridge ; also, on the purchase of 1813, Abijah Reed and Myron Guthrie. On the pur- chase of 1825, Asa McDoel, Alonzo Paige, John E. Water- man, William Paige, Mary Paige, William T. Gregg, Cyrus Gregg, John Carter, and William Wright. On the New Guinea Tract, Nathan Pendleton and John Baldwin.
John Hadcock was one of the earliest white settlers of the valley. His father, Daniel Hadcock, removed from Vernon in 18II and located on the farm now owned by the son. When quite young John Hadcock obtained a permit from the government to trade with the Indians, and set up a small store on the east limits of his farm. This was probably the first store in Stockbridge. He, however, spent but a short time in this vocation. He interested himself in Indian af- fairs, learned their customs and acquired a knowledge of their language. In the settlement of some difficulties in
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reference to the claims of members of the Sergeant family on the "orchard" lands, John Hadcock rendered efficient service; for which, he was for a period constituted Indian agent. He married a daughter of Angel De Ferriere, and settled on the farm he still owns, one of the best of Oneida Valley.
The Hadcocks were of English ancestry, established in America before the Revolution. Three brothers, one of whom was Daniel Hadcock the pioneer, were in the battle at the taking of Burgoyne, having volunteered just previous to the battle for the patriotic purpose of fighting and taking that General. One of the three brothers was wounded unto death. When peace was restored, Daniel Hadcock, with Michael Kern and Hiram Moyer, who had been sent to Chittenango on some official business, picked out farms in the vicinity of Oak Hill in that town. Hadcock lived there in 1794, and afterwards moved to Vernon from which place he came to Stockbridge, as above stated.
In the north part of the town, the Peterboro and Oneida Turnpike invited white settlers, to whom the Indians leased their lands. Farms were laid out in one hundred acres each, which were only sixty rods wide on the turnpike. This gave the street a compact settlement, and had a tendency to in- duce emigration. When the farms were all occupied on West Hill in School District No. 19, (lying jointly in Stock- bridge and Smithfield,) there were seventeen houses more than there are now, and there were upwards of ninety schol- ars to draw public money, while at present there are not more than thirty, all told.
When settlers first came, the Turnpike had several gates and numerous taverns. Before 1818, however, the gates were removed and the turnpike was thrown open as a pub- lic highway. One of the earliest settlers on this street was Joel Baker, who came in from Augusta, and for a while lived with the Indians, then took a farm just in the edge of Smith- field.
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The first settlement in the town, however, was on what became the Smith purchase, and was made in 1791. Those who settled here were Oliver Stewart, Calvin, Barney, John and Alfred Edson, William, Elijah and Joseph Devine, William Sloan, Benjamin House, Amos Bridge, James Tafft, Aaron, Matthew and Jarius Rankin, Jonathan Snow, Isaac Chadwick, Talcott Divine, Watrous Graves, and Daniel Thurston. The first marriage was that of John Devine and Polly Edson, in 1793. The first death was that of widow Anna Hall, in 1795. The first school was taught by Ed- ward Foster, in 1797.
Among other early settlers of the town were John Gas- ten, Waterman Simonds and Austin Carver. These were of the old substantial citizens, who, with others who have been named, were deeply interested in public prosperity.
David Wood was an early settler on West Hill. James Cook was an early settler at Knoxville ; also Anson Stone. William Powers, Philander Powers, William Bridge, Chaun- cey Beach and Isaac Richmond came early. Dr. Aaron Rankin was the first physician of Stockbridge. He was greatly respected for his skill in his profession, and honored for his good and noble qualities as a man. On his death, James Rankin succeeded him, and worthily filled his place.
Thaddeus Camp and Lebbeus Camp were early settlers ; also William Sloan, at Knoxville, Benjamin House further north, James Tafft on West Hill, J. Snow on the "Strip"; also a Mr. Chadwick and Thurston on the hill north of the "Strip." The above statements are from widow Mary Free- man, who, with her husband, Philip Freeman, removed from Goshen to Stockbridge sixty-one years ago. She is now eighty-six years of age, and has remarkably well preserved powers of body and mind. She has sound teeth, good hear- ing and eyesight, and frequently walks to Knoxville to church, a distance of two miles.
John Gregg came from Augusta in 1812, and leased one of the Indian lots o 1 West Hill. His son, Absolom Gregg,
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subsequently settled on the Mary Doxtater farm, at the foot of the hill on the west side of Oneida Valley. This farm was famous for having on it "Council Spring," where the Indians used to meet in open and secret conclave. David Gregg, a son of Absalom, lives on the farm, and near his barn the old spring can yet be seen. Absalom Gregg died here July 3, 1871, aged seventy-two years. He was a man extensively known in business circles all through this region. He was for several years an active Director in the Oneida Valley National Bank.
Taylor Gregg, also from Augusta, a cousin of the above, settled on the hill east of Munnsville. The old Indian council ground was situated on his farm, and from here . Council Rock was removed in 1846. The sons of Taylor Gregg have been prominent citizens of Stockbridge.
The Greggs were originally a noted family who came to America in 1719, when more than one hundred families from the north of Ireland emigrated and settled in the town of Londonderry, New Hampshire. This company intro- duced the foot spinning wheel, the manufacture of linen and the culture of potatoes. From these Greggs originated all the Greggs of this country, some of them coming from Lon- donderry to Stockbridge. Major Samuel Gregg, of Revo- lutionary fame, was grandfather of John Gregg, the above named early settler of Stockbridge.
The family have preserved their "Coat-of-Arms," which is handed down from generation to generation. Its origin dates back to a period coeval with Robert Bruce, their fore- fathers being Scotch. The name was then spelled Gragg.
Abner Warren, son of John Warren, came from Augusta, Oneida Co., to Stockbridge West Hill in 1816, then a youth of 17 years. Under an arrangement effected by the father, the farm now owned by Abner Warren was leased of the Indians, he paying for the " betterments " made by the former occupant, and in addition, $60 on the 100 acres for a three years' lease. Afterwards he leased the same land at
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MADISON COUNTY.
$30 per year, till the State purchased the tract upon which it is situated, of the Indians, when he purchased it of the State. The " betterments " consisted of four acres cleared land, which was all the clearing made when the family of John Warren came upon the place. By degrees the father and son cleared and developed one of the handsomest farms in Stockbridge. The old log house, occupied by the family for many years, stood a few rods north of Abner Warren's present residence, which the latter built in 1831, having previously come into possession of the farm. In this house John Warren and his wife died many years ago, he, at an advanced age. Abner Warren, now 73 years of age, has lived in the same home since he was 17. His beautiful location, from which he has a splendid view of the Oneida creek valley far to the north, and of an immense range of country reaching into Oneida and Lewis counties, has always pleased him. In 1825, fifty acres were added to the original homestead, which now consists of 135 acres.
Abner Warren married Miss Polly Percival, a daughter of Roswell Percival who came from Vermont, and was a later settler in Stockbridge. We remark here that the Percivals of Stockbridge, are of the same family of the late poet of that name.
Abner Warren has long been a prominent citizen of Stockbridge, esteemed for his candor and practical judg- ment as well as for his abilities in matters of public interest. Rev. O. H. Warren, of the M. E. Conference, now (1872) pastor of Baldwinsville Church, and L. N. Warren, one of the useful and influential citizens of Stockbridge are his sons. (Note q.)
David Dunham, one of the first itinerant ministers of the new settlement, came with his father from one of the eastern States, to Westmoreland, and from there to this town to live. In that day Methodist ministers traversed large circuits, and that which was in Mr. Dunham's care, was a four weeks' circuit. David Dunham died about 1852,
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aged 77 years. His daughter Mary, wife of William Nelson, of Bennett's Corners, has in her possession the bible he carried on his journeys for thirty years, It was printed in the old style type, and is remarkably well preserved.
Thomas Rockwell settled on East Hill in 1813. He bought the " betterments " of a previous settler, and pur- chased the land of the State for seven dollars per acre. His was one of the earliest settled farms of this section. On this farm was situated the Council Rock, this being what was known as " Primes Hill." Fitty acres of this farm which included the Council ground, was obtained by a subsequent settler, and Mr. Rockwell lost it. Thomas Rockwell resided on his farm till his death at the age of 63 years. Two sons, substantial citizens and farmers, are yet living in this vicinity-Hiram and T. B. Rockwell. The name of Rockwell, occurs frequently in town and county official matters.
One of the first purchasers who settled, and cleared a farm, upon the Indian lands in the east part of the town was Stephen Hart, whose father was one of the early set- tlers of Augusta. Stephen was, in some respects, one of the most remarkable men of his day. Nature had endowed him most bountifully with the rougher elements essential to pioneer life-vast physical strength, sound health, great en- durance, an unconquerable love for hunting, and wonderful skill as a marksman. Our informant who knew him well forty years ago, describes him as having been five feet six inches in height, deep chested, singularly sound in body and limb, and muscles as hard as iron. His weight was over two hundred pounds. We give an illustration of his superiority with the rifle :- On one occasion he presented himself at a "turkey shoot" in a neighboring town, and joined in the sport. The turkeys were tied to a stool thirty rods distant from the shooters. When he arrived, fifty shots had been fired and not a feather ruffled. The dozen men who had been trying their skill ceased their efforts.
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MADISON COUNTY.
Hart took the position prescribed in the rules, raised his rifle to his face, and holding it at arm's length, fired. The turkey swung from the stool, dead. Another was put up, and at his next shot, met the same fate. Then another, and another was put up, and as summarily dispatched, till six good fat turkeys were piled at his feet, the trophies of just so many shots in succession. The peals of laughter, and the loud calls on the owner by the crowd to "bring on your turkeys!" totally failed to produce them. He flatly refused to allow him a single shot more.
When the forests were cleared away, and population be- gan to thicken around him, he said it was "getting too thickly settled and game too scarce." He sold his farm, and with his family went to Michigan, into a section be- yond the abodes of white men, and there built himself a new home. Fifteen years later, when that spot was too pop- ulous, he sold, and like the true frontiersman, fled from civili- zation to the wilds of northern Iowa, where he thought imigration would not reach in his day. In ten years, how- ever, he was again hemmed in " with the hum, the busy shock of men," but he had become an old man. Though paid the compliment of being elected the first Judge of his county, he refused to serve, and after his retirement, he at last met with an accident resulting in the amputation of an arm, from which he never recovered. He died in this last named western home in 1866.
COOK'S CORNERS is a station on the Midland. It con- tains a church, a plaster mill, a grist mill, cheese factory, and fifteen or twenty houses. The church was the old Indian meeting house built by Mr. Sergeant, now belonging to the Baptist society. The plaster works and grist mill are owned by A. B. Smith, Esq. The first grist and saw mills of the town were built by the Stockbridge Indians about 1794, nearly on the site of the present grist mill. There was once a tavern here built by Cook from whom the place was named.
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MUNNSVILLE.
The first frame house in this place was built by Jacob Konkerpot, an Indian. Before he finished his house, he cut his limb with a broad ax, and died from loss of blood. A white family purchased the house, finished it and moved in. It stood on the very pleasant location of the residence of Ephraim K. Gregg.
This village lies near the Midland railroad and has a depot here. It was named from Asa Munn, who came from Augusta about 1815. Assisted by W. H. Chandler of Augusta, Mr. Munn built up the mercantile business in this section. The store he built is that in which Frost & Lilli- bridge now trade. He built the dwelling connected with the store also. Eventually the whole premises passed into the hands of Mr. Chandler. It is now owned by William Sumner, by whom the store is rented to Frost & Lillibridge.
Three Parmalee brothers, Sheldon, Horace and Solomon, built the grist mill. Horace also kept tavern at Stockbridge. While the grist mill was being built, a Mr. Doolittle, resident of this place, fell from the top of the building and was in- stantly killed
Barney Cook built the tavern at Munnsville about 1825. It has been enlarged, improved, and fitted up in a style to meet the requirements of the present period. Where the grocery store is now, Oscar Bird used to keep tavern about 1835.
Robert Turner first started a small woolen factory where the present cheese factory is. This was burned down, when he again built on the site of the present factory. Mr. Turner was again unfortunate in losing his mill by fire. Blakeman & Whedon built on the same site the present Munnsville woolen factory. A large amount of goods were made here for a time. During the war, Broadhead made army goods in this mill. It has since run irregularly, and at present is not in operation. Several dwelling houses, and a boarding house belong to the premises, and when in operation, about forty hands were employed.
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MADISON COUNTY.
Half a mile west of the village Asa Munn built a distillery about 1825.
Stringer, Barr & Co's Agricultural Works are located in this village. Their buildings were first made for a scythe factory, by Asa Runnels, about forty years ago. It was afterwards run by Daniel Holmes, (now of Fort Atkinson, Wis.,) who made axes and other edge tools till about 1850. Holmes, Stringer & Co. (S. Van Brocklyn, now of Rome, was one of this Company,) after that period went into the manufacture of agricultural implements. About 1858 Van Brocklyn went out of the firm, and in 1863 Holmes removed. The firm continued under the co-partnership of William Stringer & R. S. Barr. It is now operated under the firm name of Stringer, Barr & Co. The company run a saw mill, machine shop, foundry, and a mill for planing and matching. Every variety of first quality agricultural implements are made here, besides a great variety of castings, &c.
The Stockbridge Academy was founded by Asa Munn and Thaddeus Muzzy, the school commencing in 1829. It was taught by Rev. D. M. Smith, in 1832. The school was at- tended with flattering success for a time. It was located on the west side of the village, on the rise above the meeting house. The building was taken down a few years after the decline of the school.
KNOXVILLE.
This village, known also as Stockbridge, is a pleasant lit- tle village, lying mostly on the west side of the Oneida val- ley. It was named from Herman Knox, who came to this valley about 1822, and built up the mercantile business at this point. Herman Knox was from Augusta, where him- self and brother, John J. Knox, had been engaged in the mercantile business, the latter being the founder of Knox- boro of Augusta.
Herman Knox bought much land for sale in the Oneida Valley, and built up the village. He first put up a small store and then encouraged enterprise by selling out village
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lots, giving his purchasers most generous opportunities, often to his own disadvantage and loss. He built a grist mill on the site of the present one ; built the first store, which is still standing, and, being converted into a dwelling house, is now the residence of Mrs. Lyman G. Sloan. He also built a saw mill and a distillery. During Mr. Knox's stay of about a dozen years, the village grew to nearly its present size.
David Wood came into Knoxville about 1825, and pur- chased part of Mr. Knox's store. The latter, after a time, sold out his interest in the store to Mr. Wood, and built an- other, which is the present store of Amideus Hinman. Mr. Wood subsequently bought that, and finally purchased all of the Knox property here, and Mr. Knox moved to one of the Western States.
Herman Knox was regarded with great respect and affec- tion by the inhabitants. He had a generous and noble heart. He was the life of business in this part of the val- ley ; but his generosity exceeded his desire to accumulate.
The tavern of Knoxville was built by Horace Parmalee, about 1830. There have been three churches built at Knox- ville, the Universalist, Congregational and Methodist.
The Midland depot is a short distance east of the village.
Five Chimneys is a tavern on the Peterboro and Oneida Turnpike in the northern part of Stockbridge. It stands at the foot of West Hill. It was originated by Charles (?) Leland who came from Wooster County, Mass. to this place in 1826. He was enamored with the beauty of this valley, and belived that if enterprise could be brought to bear at this point, a village could be easily built up. He com- menced the project by building his famous tavern with its five stacks of great brick chimneys, that year. He also built a small store and bought a stock of goods. He, how- ever, soon failed and then went to Oneida Castle, where he again went into business, and again failed. He next re- moved into one of the Western States where he again built a
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tavern, and was successful, and where he died. "Five Chim- neys" is now an old weather beaten house, rather dilapidated, and wearing an air of grandeur in decay.
CHURCHES.
The Church at Cooks Corners was built in 1796 by Rev. John Sergeant, for an Indian meeting house. When the Stockbridges moved away it was used by various religious societies. Subsequently the Baptist society obtained the house, and for several years it has been used for their place of worship. Rev. Mr. Bainbridge was an early minister of this society.
The Methodist Episcopal Church of Knoxville was organ- ized as a class about 1830. The church was built in 1832, Herman Knox being prime mover in the enterprise, donat- ing largely for the purpose. Meetings were held by circuit preachers for some years. Henry Halstead was first pastor. There were nine or ten classes on this charge for many years. The church edifice has been enlarged once since it was built. It willl seat an audience of about five hun- dred, and is neatly finished and furnished.
The Presbyterian Church of Munnsville was organized in 1829 at the house of David Goodrich. The society was soon quite numerous. Rev. D. Smith was pastor in 1832. Meetings were first held in the Academy. The meeting house was built about 1833.
The Universalist Church of Stockbridge was built about 1834. First meetings of this denomination were held by Rev. Mr. Wooley during two or three years previous to the building of the church. Rev. D. S. Morey was first regu- lır pastor, who organized the society. Pastors who have served in this church are Revs. John Potter, Mr: Cargill, Robert Queal, Hughes and Manly. Rev. A. H. Marshall, of Madison, is the present pastor.
There was a Congregational Church built at Stockbridge about 1834, which was a fine, well finished building for its day. It stood on the lot next west of the tavern.
APPENDIX.
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Note a .- ABRAM ANTONE was born in the year 1750, on the banks of the Susquehanna. His father was an Indian of the Stockbridge tribe-his mother, the daughter of an Oneida chief .* When quite young his parents removed to the county of Che- nango, where for the most part he has since lived.
Bold and adventurous, having been bred in the true spirit of his savage ancestors, he took up arms in favor of the Americans in the year 1776. It has been asserted that he was a British Indian, which he altogether denied. " I was," said he, " in three battles. I fought for the Americans, and fought bravely." On being asked how many of the enemy he had slain, " More than that," he replied, holding up both hands with the fingers spread, and then added that he could not tell exactly how many, "because," he said "though I often pointed my rifle, yet on account of much smoke, I could not always tell whether I had killed or not." He asserted that he had once been employed by Gov. George Clinton on a secret mission, and observed that he was a great friend to him. If this is true, it shows him to have been perfectly trustworthy, even if bloodthirsty and re- vengeful.
The first murder of his which was well attested and to which he assented, was committed at Chenango Point about 1798. The Indian whose duty it was to distribute the government allowance to the different tribes, defrauded, or was believed by Antone, to have defrauded him of some part of the money. He consequently declared his intention to kill him, which he effected in the following way : At the raising of an Indian house near the Point, Antone, as usual on such occasions, was present.
* It is said he descended, by way of his mother (through which line all Indian genealogy is traced), from "Thick-Neck," a savage chief who held dominion in Chenango, and who ruled the Indian village at Oxford many generations ago. Thick-Neck was subdued by the Oneidas, and the remnant left of his tribe were adopted into the Oneida family.
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APPENDIX.
The Indian whom he had threatened was also present, though not without the precaution of being armed. Antone did not assist much, but sat on a piece of timber within the frame. He continued sitting there, till the house was raised, and the people assembled together to the number of fifty, for the purpose of drinking, when Antone suddenly taking aim, fulfilled his prom- ise by shooting the Indian directly through the heart. He then arose and walked deliberately off. The Indians buried the body and here the matter ended, Antone paying a sum of money to the tribe for a ransom. But the most atrocious deed of all, is one at which humanity starts with horror-a crime at which nature revolts, and which is almost without parallel-the murder of an infant child, and that child his own ! The circumstances of this event are almost too horrible to relate. It appears from the account of his wife, that returning from an assembly of In- dians one evening to his wigwam, he found his little infant of four or five months old vociferously crying. Impatient at the noise, the monster snatched the child from its mother's arms, and raking open a hot bed of coals, buried the infant beneath them. It might be hoped for the honor of humanity that this account were not true, but the fact was allowed by his wife, and well attested by others, so that no doubt can remain as to the truth of it .*
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