History of Monroe county, New York with illustrations descriptive of its scenery, Palatial residences, Part 65

Author: McIntosh, W. H. cn; Everts, Ensign, and Everts, Philadelphia, pub
Publication date: 1877
Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts, Ensign and Everts
Number of Pages: 976

USA > New York > Monroe County > History of Monroe county, New York with illustrations descriptive of its scenery, Palatial residences > Part 65

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Moody Freeman, the first settler, built the first log house, cleared the first land, raised the first grain.and was the first pioneer farmer. and also a pioneer justice of the peace and pettifugger, or back woods lawyer. The first male child born was a son of Mrs. Clark-on, and the first female was Elmira Palmer, a daughter of Deacon Joel Palmer, born 1812 .- though it is claimed that David Moore, whose parents settled io 1810, was born on the way to the settlement, while in this town, and was consequently the first childl. Isane B. Williams built the first fradie bouse, and was the first blackstuith on the southwest corner in Clarksoo village. He built the fortier in 1811. Laura White was the first school-teacher, though Charlotte Cummins taught about the same time.

The first physician was Dr. Noah Owen, aud Dr. N. Rowel the second; and the first lawyer was Juho Bowman. The first store was built and kept by Henry MeCall, on the southeast corner, where it is still standing. He also kept the first tavero at the same place, and, at a later date, the first tavern at East Clarkson, on the northeast corner, where James Lidd had previously kept store. the first in that part of the town. The second public house was Dr. Baldwin's, on the northwest corner, at Clarkson; and the fourth by a widow, HIye rot, and her two sons, John and Larry, at East Clarkson, who, in 1825, was succeeded by William Rice. About 1816 or 1817, Hiel Brockway erceted the hotel on the south west corner, in Clarkson, which was first kept by S. W. Andrus. aod. later, by H. Bowen; and in 1825. when Dr. Baldwin retired to his farm. Silas Walbridge leased bis tavern for five years, and then built the store now occupied by Adam Moore. Succeeding him in the old tavern, William Stoughton manufactured and sold his bitter>, and kept a grocery; and, still later, in the old bar-room, J. O. Balch edited and printed the only newspaper ever printed in this town. It was entitled The Jeffersonian, Democratie in politics, as the nany: implies; and was first issued June 17, 1835, conducted ucarly a year, when it came to an untimely end. The editor, returning from Rochester one night with the necessary supply of paper for the next issue, in a one-horse wagon, upset in a small pond uf water by the roadside, a few rods south of the village, and lost his paper; and the pro- verbiul poverty of country editors in those days rendered the discontinuance of The Jefersonian imperative. A public-house was also erected and kept a few miles west of Clark.wo village, on the corner of the Ridge and Redmond roads, known then as West Clarkson, and another tavery near the, Parma line. on the Ridge road, by John Phillips, io n log house.

There were two mills erceted in this town about the same time, -a saw-mill and a grist-mill,-and both on streams that now have no esistente in the summer season. Both were prior to IS11, the year Jort Palmer settled at Clarkson, who certifies that both were in operation when he came, and that the former sawed

over one hundred thousand feet of lumber the year before he came. The saw. mill was erected by James Sayres, aod was located about ooc-half write cast of Clarkson Corners. The grist-mill was built by one Toles, brother of Ebenezer Toles, and was first located a short distance south of Ladd's Corners, or East Clark- son, but soon after moved about one-fourth mile west, on the Ridge road. So limited was the supply of water, however, that grists were ground by men or boys treading the wheel; consequently its business was never very extensive. Tules died in 1812, or, as some assert, committed suicide. having enlisted in the army while intoxicated, which, in his sober moments, produced "temporary insanity," now so prevalent in our criminal records. flis was one of the first, if not the first, death in town. Henry MeCall and Robert Perry erected mills in 1817, and several years later Blodgett's mills were built. For many years, while there was but one grist-mill in town. there were three distilleries, besides two io close pros- imity, east of the Parma line, kept in full operation, to supply the wants of the people. While the evils of drunkenness were comparatively wanting, and - maniu à potu" wholly unknowo fifty years ago, whisky was in common use with every one. At the family board. in the harvest field, at social and religious gatherings, at camp-meetings, bees, raisings, among old and young, men, women, and children, and everywhere, and at all times, it was used freely as water, and regarded a necessity. It thus opened a market for the farmers' grain, which in those days was indispensable, and greatly lessened, no doubt, the sufferings and privations that would otherwise have followed. About one-half mile southwest of East Clarkson, a few yards west of the prescot residence of Jonathan Prosser, Ben- jamin C'ha-e built and conducted a distillery about fifty or fifty-one years ago; Cobb and Drake at the same time, one mile west, oo Jones' farin, and still another east, between the Corners and Parma line. The first blacksmith at East Clarkson was R. Tear, who worked in a log shop in 1814

The towo of Clarkson has but one post-office, which is located at the village, with treneral Geo. W. Miller present postmaster. It was first established in 1816. when Samuel Ilildreth, of Pittsford, instituted the line of stages between Rochester and Lewiston. which delivered a daily mail until it was withdrawo, after the construction of the Erie canal. The first postmaster was Dr. Abel Bald- wiD. A post-office was located, during President Polk's administration, at East Clarkson, with I. E. Hoyt postmaster, and also at Redmond's Corners, us West Clarkson, with II. Bell postmaster, both of which were long since discontinued.

The first school-house built in the town was erected during the war. at Clark- goo village. While it was being shingled the artillery at the battle of Lundy's Lane could be distinctly heard. The school-house at East Clarkson was built in 1818, though previous to that year Wni. Dickenson taught school io an old log house that stood a short distance east. The town was first divided into oine dis- tricts io 1821, and after the division of the towu, in 1833, were remembered comprising nine. There are at present ten school-houses and districts within the towo, giving instruction to seven hundred scholars.

Io 1875 the population of this town was 1955, with 375 dwellings ; its assessed valuation was $70.11 per acre; the aggregate valuation of real and personal estate was $1,505,286 ; taxation, $10,194.45, exclusive of local school taxes; value of property exempt from taxation. $19,100 ; value of church property, $12.000.

The supervisors of Clarkson, since its organization. are as follows, viz. : Aretas Haskel. from 1820 to 1821; Gustavus Clank, 1824 ; Aretas Haskel, 1825; Abel Baldwin, 1826; Wi. Grover. 1827 to 1829; Gustivus Clark, 1829 to 1833; Simcon B. Jewett, 1833 to 1835; Heory Martyn, 1835 to 1837 ; Isaac Allen, 1837 ; Theodore Chapin, 1838; Jonathan Prosser. 1839; Wm. Grover, IS40 ; Heory Martya, 1841 to 1843; Saml. R. S. Mather, 1843; Alphonso Perry (appointed ), 1844 ; Isaac Ilorton, 1845 to 1847; Geo. W. Clark, 1847; James R. Thuopson, ISIS : Jamies II. Warren, 1849 to 1852; Guo. W. Estus, 1852; James HI. Warren, 1853; Isaac Garrison, 1854 ; James II. Warren, 1835 to 1857: Wm. P. Rice, 1857; Wm. II. Bowman, 1958; M. A. Patterson (ap- pointed ), 1859; Cicero J. Prosser, 1860; Adam Moore. 1861 to 1863; Elias Garrison, 1863 to 1805; Geo. W. Estes, 1865 to IS67 ; James II. Warren. ISGT to 1874: and W. L. Rockwell, from 1874 to the present, with the subjoined officers for 1876: Town Clerk, Thomas Brown; Collector, John B. Suyder; Justiers of the Peace, each elected for four years. 1873. R. R. P'rice; 1874, J C. Crury : 1875, Joseph L. Clark ; and for 1876, Win. Leach : Assessor, Matthew A. Pat- terson ; Excise Commissioner, Lester Blodgett; Auditors, Saml. Spurr, Cicero .I. Prosser. J. B. Haskell : Con-tables, B. Snyder, B. C. Chapman. C. D Phillips. and Michael Fay; Inspectors of Elections. Ileury Allen, Gustavus C. Barker. Albert H. Palmer, and Michael Foy; Commissioner of Highways, Fayette J Currington, and twenty-four Overseers of Highways.

THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF CLARKSON CORNERS

was organized as a Congregational society in the school-house. at the same place. on September 4, 1816, by direction of the following-named persons; Rev. Com-

PLATE XXXVI.

ISAAC ALLEN, SK.

MRS. I. ALLEN

RES OF ISAAC ALLEN, SR. CLARKSON, MONROE Co., N. Y.

PLATE XXXVII.

RES. OF REUBEN PAINE, CLARKSON, MONROE CO., N. Y.

RES. OF LUCY JANE BLODGETT, CLARKSON, MONROE CO. NY

169

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, NEW YORK.

fort Williams, of Rochester ; Rev. Hanson Darwin. of Riga ; Henty Smith and Elam Clark, missionaries; Deacon Scheraish Frost and' Ilebry Brewster. of Riga; Deacon Levi Wood, of Bergen ; and Deacon Davis. Deacon Moses Fuller, Justus Brown, and Mr. Frost, of Parian. with the following charter members : Joel Palmer, Theodore Ellis, Mary Perry. Polly Day. Polly Rice, Phebe Palmer, Pa- tience Ellis, Anna Swift, John Phelps. Calvin Green, Mary MeCracken, Desire Wheland, Laora White, Charlotte Cummins, Sally Reed, and Betsey Phelps. The first deacons were Joel Palmer and Levi Smith; and the first cierk Joel Palmer. The constituting prayer at the organization was made by W. Williams. W. Fairbanks was one of the first preachers; and Ezra Woodworth installed November 15, 1816; followed hy W. Loring, August 26, 1817 ; John F. Bliss, February 1, 1819; C. E. Furman, 1830 ; E. N. Touf. August 25, 1855 ; Joseph MeNulty, December 16, 1857; C. B. Gardner, May 28, 1863; Charles Kittridge, October 28, 1866; Francis Rae, April 4, 1867; N. N. Clate, May 6. 1868; and A. A. Grabey, 1873, who is at present utbciating. Services were conducted in the school-house until the construction of their present church edifice in 1825,- a substantial building forty-one by fifty feet in size, at a cost of three thousand five hundred dollars. In 1830 it sent a delegate to the Rochester presbytery, and adopted the Presbyterian form of government. In 1853 it again changed to Congregational, and became independent, and so remained notil 1869, when it once more united with and became a Presbyterian church, remaining so ever since. The present officers are-Trustees, W. L. Rockwell, Chauncey Allen, and Elijah Drake; Deacons, John Steele and Frederick Bellinger ; Clerk, John Steele. A flourishing Sabbath-school has been connected with the church almost frum its organization, of which Edward Wadhams was superintendent ncarly twenty-five years. It now embraces twelve teachers, and over of: hundred pupils, with Samuel Wadhams, present superintendent ; Deacon John Steele. assist- ant superintendent; and Roswel Palmer, chorister. It has an old library, comprising one hundred and fifty volumes. to which have been recently added one hundred new books, selected, in charge of Edward Cerlette, librarian.

THE BETHEL METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF CLARKSON

. was organized at the house of Silas Hardy, on January 8, 1825, by Benajah Williams, with the following persons as first trustees: Theodorus Johnson, Frederick Shaffer, Silas Hardy, Adam Moore. Samuel A. Perry, Henry Ketcham, Zadock Hurd, Stephen S. Mead, and John Beedle. Services were held at the school-house at East Clarkson, under the ministration of Benajah Williams, first pastor, and others, until the ercetion of their church building. a short time sub- sequently. The frame-work of the present church edifice belonged to the original structure, which was remodeled. and re-dedicated by Rev. Dr. Hunt in 1869. It is located at East Clarkson, south of the Corners. The present trustees are Eli Crary, James Shaffer, and Daniel Freeman ; the present steward, William Johnson; and the present class-leader, Zebulon Johnson. In connection with the church is a Sabbath-school, comprising about tive teachers and twenty-five pupils, noder charge of Adam Smith, superintendent, and William Tuxel, assist- ant superintendent. The church and society is at present under the charge of Rev. D. Clark.

THE SECOND SOCIETY OF THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF CLARKSON

was organized early in 1848, in the school-house two miles north of East Clark- son. For many years previous to its formation the services of the Methodist denomination had been conducted regularly at the same place. The first officers Were -- Trustees, Joseph Hoy, David Hoy, Maxwell Moore, Jacob Moore. and Ilenry Muore; Stewards, Maxwell Moore and David Hoy; Class-leader, John Hoy; and Clerk, H. Rice. In the same year the present church building was erected near the school house, in the east part of the town, at a cost of about one thousand three hundred dollars; previous to which services were held at the place

of organization. The present officers are-Trustees, Henry Nixon, Janny M. Moore, H. W. Moore, Robert Hoy, and S. Merritt ; Stewards, George O. Stewart and Timothy Merritt ; Class-leader, Timothy Merritt ; and Clerk, Thomas Sentt. Rev. D. Clark is at present pastor. During the Latter part of 1800 a division sprang up in the church, and, as a result,

THE FIRST METHODIST CHURCH OF EAST CLARKSON

was organized on January 25, 1801, within the same church building, of which they kept control, as the new movement absorbed a majority of the trustees. The controversy over the church olitice w.es compromised on the basis of matual owner- ship, each holding possession and conducting services on alternate Sundays. This church society belongs to the Parmacircuit. The first officers were-Trustees, David Hoy, H. W. Moore, George Moore, Robert Iloy, and David Moore ( II. W. Moore and Robert Hoy remained with the other organization, however ) ; Stewards. Max- well Moore and David floy; Class-lemler, George Moore ; and first pastor, A. G. Terry. The present trustees are David Moore, Maxwell Moore, David Hoy, Robert Hoy, and Wilson Moore ; stewards, the same as at first, and the clerk, George Moore. The present pastor is the cirenit-preacher, William Manuing. There is a Sabbath-school, which was formed at the time of the organization of the original church, conducted in conjunction with both societies, and under mutual control. Rev. D. Clark is superintendent for the original Methodist Episcopal society, and James Ireland for that of the Free Methodists.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH.

ISAAC ALLEN.

Isaac Allen, Esq., of Clarkson village, was born in Enfield, Hartford county, Connecticut, April 26, 1794. He was the second of three sons,-John, who died in Michigan, Isane, and Chauncey. In boyhood he was apprenticed to a hatter, served his time until he became thoroughly skilled in his trade, and on the 27th day of April, 1815, the day after he became of age, he left his father's home in search of a favorable locality to open business for himself. He first went to Hartford. where he remained a few weeks, then went to Danbury, thence to New York city and Brooklyn, and finally up the Hudson river to Schoharie, where he followed his trade until May, 1816. when he emigrated to western New York, and settled in Clarkson village, at that time a promising business point in this newly-settled region. He purchased one acre near the corner, aod com- menced working at his trade. In 1817 he returned to Connecticut, and on Sep- tember 10 of that year he was married to Miss Mary Terry, of Enfield, and with her returoed to his western home. In March, 1819. he purchased a tarm and removed to Hamlin Centre, where he lived four years, and then sold out and bought on the Ridge road, west of Clarkson village, the place represented in this work. In September of this year Mr. Allea lost his wife, with whom he bad lived in happy wedlock over fifty-nine years. Of eleven children, ten are still living, six sons and four daughters; and at the funeral of the mother the rare spectacle was presented, never to ve forgotten by those who witnessed it, of six stalwart sons bearing the remains of the aged and beloved parent, the ripened harvest, to their final resting-place. Mr. Allen has been one of the foremost men in the history of this section in every effort for the improvement of its people or the advancement of its material interests. Of the most exalted integ- rity, he is honored and respected by a wide circle of frienda. Now in his eighty- third year, he possesses the health, vigor, and elasticity of a man of sixty.

HAMLIN.

. THE town of Hamlin, in its present form, was set off frem Clarkson, October II, 1852, as the town of Union, aod its organization completed at a town meet- ing held March 1, 1853, at the house of John C. Patterson, by the election of its first officers as follows,-viz. . Supervisor. Ebenezer Barringer; Town Clerk, Harry Kimball; Collector, Seymour Sherwood ; Justice of the Peace, Alanson Thomas; Assessors, Charles Burrows, II. J. Smith, Audrew Randall; Overseers of the Poor, Curtis H. Hole, Peter Croel ; Commissioners of Highways, James M. Cusick, Jerryon Elliett ; Inspectors of Elections. Whitman Corbin. William Douchy ; C'on- stables, Seymour Sherwood, George Clow, Daniel R. Chilis, E. C. Goodrich ; and thirty-three overseers of highways.

Hamlin is situated in the northwest corner of Monroe County, and comprises the north end of the Triangle tract. It extends along Lake Ontario a distance of nine miles, with an average breadth of nearly five miles, which includes township No. 5, and the north tier of sections of No. 4. giving an area of twenty-six thou- sand three hundred and eighty-seven acres, or over forty-one square mile.4. Each township is divided into sections one and one-half miles square, numbered from south to north, and each section is sub divided into twelve farm lots, numbered in the same direction, and each containing about one hundred and twenty acres.

The surface in the maia is extremely level. though in the northern portion and vicinity of Sandy Creek it is slightly rolling. There is quite a descent towards the lake, which renders drainage every u here possible. The soil is a clay loam in the south, and gradually inclining to a sand and gravelly loam as it approaches the lake, and everywhere of the greatest fertility. It is second to none in the county in its natural resources and productiveness. All the cereals are pro- duced abundantly ; also grass, vegetables, and fruit. Nowhere in our State, or perhaps in this latitude, is there better encouragement for fruit-growing. A soil of peculiar adaptation and climate modified by the lake breeze, which cools in summer and warms in winter, guarding both against the extremes of heat and cold, and insect depredations, insures a fairer and more bardy quality of fruit, especially apples, than any other section of our country.

It is watered by two considerable streanis and their numerous tributaries, of which the most important is Sandy creek. It enters the town near the southwest corner, and flows to the northeast into the lake, north of the Centre. It affords water-power for all the requirements of that vicinity, and from the date of the early settlements ity banks have been dotted with saw- and grist-mills, many of wbich, after consuming the surrounding forest, have long since passed away, leav- ing no trace of their existence. In the east part of the town West creek flows from west to east, crossing the Triangle line into Parma, near the southeast corner of the town. Other brooks also abound, rising from springs which find their way in to either stream or the lake. Salt or brine springs exist in some localities, which in early days were of much benefit to the settlers.

The whole surface was originally covered with a very heavy growth of timber. ef the variety indigenous te all western New York, and a dense undergrowth in many localities that completely obsenred the soil from the sun's rays, making all other vegetatien impossibile. Like all heavily-timbered regions in a level country hav- ing a clay bottom, there were frequent low places, especially in the south purtion, where surface water remained, aml, protreted by the dense foliage and decaying timber, became stagnant swamps, but which, when opened up, properly drained, and warmed with the sun, made very desirable farmis.

The carly history of this town is so interwoven with, and a part of, the history of that section of country embraced within the limits of the original town of Murray, formed in 1807, and, at a later date, of Clarkson, that it is difficult to localize it within the present geographical limits, which were not established until twenty-three or twenty-four years ago. Especially thune fiets that are matters of record, during that early period. belong to the history of all that country embraced within the limits of a single organization. Settlements from twenty to thirty miles apart were regarded as not very distant neighbors, and met together at the same town meetings, for local organization, and to eleet the same officers and co- operate in all matters of public improvement, for laying out and surveying new roads, improving old ones buibling bridges, establishing schools, and, tu fart, to inaugurate any new action essential to the prosperity of the new settlements or conducive to the general welfare.

Hamlin was not only the last town organized in Monroe County, but its settle- ment was the latest aud most unpromising, and its growth the slowest and tuut difficult of any town in western New York. Sickness caused by the malaria that arose from the decaying timber and stagnant water, wherever the immense growth of timber was chopped away, was so prevalent that many settlers were compellel to seek more elevated lands. Fever and ague was the inevitable lot of all who remained through the heated season, and not until the water-courses were cleared to the lake, and drainage had been secured. was there any abatement. Iu entise- quence of these and other drawbacks, arising from its geographical position, remote from markets, railways, and the regular tide of enterprise, it was not permanently settled and brought under general cultivation until more than fifteen years later than other portions of the county. Still. there were several purchases and a few settlements made at a very early date. James M. Casson purchased the first lot of land in 1804, and, though there is no positive authority that he settled as carly as the date of his purchase, it cannot be contradicted, and the evidence is quite strong that he did. It is related of him that he committed a crime somewhere in New England, and ffed here and hid himself in the woods, where he was almost unknown for many years. Abijah Sayer and John Chapmu bought farms here in 1805, and Penty Nichols ia 1800. The carliust recorded settlement herotafore was that of Arctas Hascall, from Maine, who settled about one mile south of the Centre, and Josiah and Samnel Randall, from the same State. In the same year Joba Newlan, with seven children, from Dutchess conuty, settled one-fourth mile south of the Centre. Their names were Michael, Hannah, Harry. Lowena, Patty, William, and Napoleon, one of whom, Lowena Baxter, is still living near East Hamlin. Silas Nowlan was soon after born, which was probibly the first birth in town; and Michael Nowlan the first teacher. He taught the children of the three families, Hlascall, Randall, and Nowlan, alternately. at the residence of caeli. About the saure time one Billings settled near the lake, on the east side of Samly creek, built a house, and set out an orchard, which is probably the oldest orchard io town. He left the country, however, in two or three years. In 1811 came Alanson Thomas, Joshua Greene, and a Dutchman, named Strunk, whe settled ar the mouth of Sandy creek. In 1812, Stephen Baxter, from Oucida county, took op four lots in section eleven, and iu 1814 settled there, with his wife and six chil- dren, Asil, Reuben, Polly, Stephen, Jr., Lucy, and John, two of whom, Stephen, Jr., and Lucy, are still living, the former on the old homestead. During the war of 1812 settlements were nearly suspended, but few families coming in at that time, and were very slow for several years after. Among those who arrived be- tween 1812 and 1816 were the Wrights, in the Wright settlement. on the Parma line; in 1812, Thomas W. Hayden. west of' Baster, William Conk. P. Beche. a Mr. Barker, and one Paul, of Maire. Joseph Knapp, and Pixley. In ISIG, Caleb and James Clark settled in the wi t part of the town. and their brother, William. soon after. About ISIS, Albert Salisbury settled at the Centre, and in 1-19 Isaac Allen, now living at Clarkson, settled at the same place. Howard and Adin Manley and Esi Twitchel, with their families, left Athol, Massachusetts, the same year, with three yoke of osen and a huge wagon covered in emigrant style, and, ather a jerney of twenty-two days, arrive'l in the west part of the town, and setthul in extremely rude log cabins, covered with bark and plastered with mad. From this date the influx of settlers gradually increased, though it was many years before the face of the country way nich changed and the malarions diseases eradicated. The first recorded death was Mr. Strunk, in 1812, and, soon after, Charlotte Barker. It is impossible, at this day, to ascertain who built the first house or cleared the first land. because in no other town were so many farts given up. even after building and clearing a small piece of ground for cultivation. For several years the pioneers buried their dead on their own farma, until burying. grounds were purchased and laid out by associations for that purpose. The first. as near as can be ascertained, was located near the north of the Centre, but the first interment is beyond the memory of any one now living.

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History of Monroe county, New York with illustrations descriptive of its scenery, Palatial residences, Part 65

Author: McIntosh, W. H. cn; Everts, Ensign, and Everts, Philadelphia, pub Publication date: 1877 Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts, Ensign and Everts Number of Pages: 976

Author: McIntosh, W. H. cn; Everts, Ensign, and Everts, Philadelphia, pub
Publication date: 1877
Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts, Ensign and Everts
Number of Pages: 976