History of Monroe county, New York with illustrations descriptive of its scenery, Palatial residences, Part 72

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 72

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THE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF RIOA

was organized December 9, 1800, at Riga Centre, by Rev Oliver Ayres. with the following-named persons as first members, viz. : Nchen ah Frost. Henry Brewster, John Barber, Benjamin Kneeland, Elizabeth Frust, Rebecca Brewster, Lois Baldwin, Sally Barber, Susanna Wallis, Elizabeth Buel, and Rebecca Frust. The first pastor was Rev. Ailen Hollister, and the first deacon was Nehemiah Frost. The services of the church were held in the school-house at Riga Centre, for nearly fourteen years, or until the erection of their church building in 1823. It is a wooden structure, forty by sixty fect in size, erected at a cost of about three thousand dollars, and is located at the Centre. Its present nouister is Rev. Isaac R. Bradnach, and clerk Alfred Fitch. It has no other officery. The number of acting members nt present is thirty-two. A Sabhath-school has been connected with it from a very early date,-at least as early as the church edifire was erected, and probably many years previous. This is one of the earliest churches organized West of the Genesee river, the First Baptist church of Parma antedating it a few months only,-from May 27 of the same year. Like all the carliest church. organizations, its records are imperfect, while many of them are lust.

THE METHODINT EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF CHURCHVILLE

was organized not far from 1835. The imperfect records in pression of the clerk of the society give no date of its organization. This, with the first society of f'hili, originally belonged to the sante cirenit. Many years ago they were sep- arated, and the society at Churchville annexed to that of Bergen, in Genesee

county, while that of Chili, together with the later society, organized at North Chili, have since remained independent. Religious services in the interests of this denomination were held here in barns, private homes, and the school-house, long before the organization of the society. The present church edifice was created some time between 1835 and 1838, and previous to the erection of the Univer-ali-t church building was shared by that society, some of' whose members had liberaily contributed to its construction. The present board of trustees of the society are Charles H. Bowen, George Adams, and Eri Sanford, and the clerk. Chark- HI Bowen. The church is wow under the pastorate of Rev. E. L. Lattimer. The stewards are Robert Fuller, Charles Gillard. F. L. Harris, Henry Warren, lalu Luckam, Henry Widges, and Thomas Hulyer, of which Henry Warren is treasurer. and the class-leaders are James Adams and Samuel Grunendyke. A Sabbath- school has been connected with the church almost from its organization, which now includes nine teachers and fifty-sis pupils, under the supervision of three officers, Ileury Warren, superintendent and treasurer ; Thomas Holyer, assistant ; and Julia Warren, secretary. It has a good library of two hundred and sixty volumes, in charge of John Adams, librarian, and Frank Potter, assistant.

THE UNION CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF CHURCHVILLE

was organized in the old Presbyterian church building, oo February 22, 1852, and the ecclesiastical society on March 20, 1852. The certificate of incorporation was recorded in the county clerk's office on May 13, 1852. Previous to the for- mation of this church, a Presbyterian church had existed many years, which was one of the first organized in this village. It also erected one of the first church buildings, which is still standing, though used for other purposes. It disbanded a short time before the present organization was formed, into which it merged. The first meusbers were Philander Stone, Zophar Willard, Lyman Carver, Perry Carver, John Fritcher, Horace Gilman, Robert Harkness, Samuel F. Pierson. Samuel W. Pierson, Ira M. Randall, Abigail Stone, Maria Brooks, Betsey A. Pritcher, Mary Whipple, Ann Dresser. Amelia Redfield. Ellen Flunt, and Oritia T. Piersons. Services were held in the old church edifice until the erection of the present structure, in 1832 and 1853, and dedicated May 18, 1833. The pastors of the church since its organization, and the time they served, are as ful- lows, viz. : Rev. Jared W. Fox, April, 1853, to April, 1855; William Dewey. April, 1855, to April, 1858; J. Fuller, April. 1858. to October, IS55: Thomas Lightbody, November, 1858. to April, 1861 ; Smith Norton, April, 1861. to Oe- tober, 1962; Corbin Kidder, November, 1862. to January, 1800; C. A. Rudddick. April, 1867, to April, 1869; E. B. Vanaukin, May, 1869, to May, 1870; C. T. Chamberlain, September, 1870, to April. 1972; and G. A. Lawson, from Apul. 1872, to the present. and now serving. The church has received in all two linn- dred and fifty-two members, with a present membership of one hundred and fifty. The present officers are-Deacvos. Norman Savage, Lyman Carver, and Isaac Bower; Board of Trustees, Milo Hall, Jamies H. Gilman, and Zophar Willard . Superintendent of Sabbath-school, Lymao Carver; and Assistant Superintendent, George Savage.

THE UNIVERSALIST CHURCH OF CHURCHVILLE.

Services were held in the interests of this church as early as 1813. Though no organization was effected for many years, and many of the first settlers heiny Universalists, meetings were held at school-houses, or wherever convenient, and the services of regular preachers obtained. among where were Revs. Messis. Adams, Knapp, Sampson, Whituell, and Thayer. Among the prominent individual- who composed the society were George Richmond. Billings Richmond, Joshna Rich- mund, Elisha P. Davis, Joseph Emerson, Samuel Shepard, Ichabod Sprague. L. Crosby, and Ashley Smith, with their families. The permanent organization of the society did not occur until 1838, and in 1839 it erected its present church building, a substantial structure, thirty-four by forty-four feet in size, and at a cost of three thousand five hundred dollars. In 1858 the society organizel the first Universalist church, under the direction of Rev. William R. Cook. The Gir-t pastor, after the formation of the society, in 1838, was Rev. James JE. Cook, who served three years, and was succeeded by Rev. S. W. Remington, seven frat> : William Medical, two years; M. B. Smith, one year ; Isaac M. Atwood. tien years; William R. Cook, five years: E. R. Ottaway, two years: S. W. Remington. one year ; E. Hathaway, two years : E. M. Grant, two years ; William Vandemark. two years ; and J. Frank Thuogron. three years, and at present officiating. The membership in 1858, at the organization of the church, was forty-five, and at present is sixty. The present officers are-Trustees, William Walker, J. R. Bromley, and A. G. Graves; Collector and Treasurer, H. E. Richmond : amd Clerk, L. Rabeck. The Sabbath-chonl was organized with the church, m 155%. under the direction and juistoral labor- of Rer. William B Cook, with sistern pupils and two teachers, Miss Emeline Fuller and Mise Anna Gage, and umber the supervision of L. Babcock, superintendent. It now sustains five teachers, Mrs

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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, NEW YORK.

William Walker, Miss Belle Richmond, Mrs. Jennie Collister, Mis Dell Merri- man, and Miss Emma Gage, with Miss O. E. Brigham, as-i-tant superintendent, and a proportionate number of pupils. A library was established in connection with the school, which was begun a year earlier, in 1-57. It has increased from year to year, in keeping with the advance of the school. and now contains one hundred and fifty volumes, in charge of Mrs Ann Welch, librarian. Previous to the erection of their church edifice, in 1839, many of the active I'niversalists contributed liberally to the construction of the Methodist church building, aod in consideration were to hold services there when not in use. But, after three or four meetings hand been beld, it was decided that Christian harmony could be better maintained by the erection of a separate structure, and measures were accordingly taken to secure it.

THE BAPTIST CHURCH OF CHURCHVILLE

was organized in that village, December 11. 1851, by Rev. J. C. Drake, with the following list of members, viz. : Ann E. Bliss. Clorinda Ilitchins. Harriet Carver, George Stripp, Eleanor Stripp, Julia Ann Outhout. George Davis, Andrew C'one, Franklin Stone, Betsy Stone, Sterling A. Hubbard. Caroline B. Hubbard, John F. Bliss, Rachel Loveridge, Julia Smith. Matilda Carver. Emily M. Hebbard. Emma R. Davis, Asunath Chappell, and J. C. Drake. The first ntheers were- Deacons, George Davis and Amdrew Cone, and Church Clerk, Sterling A. Hebbard. The services of the church were held regularly. a part of the time in the Univer- salist church, and a part in the hall of the Railroad Hotel, until the completion of the present church building, in 1952, a structure fifty by seventy fret in size. at a cost of three thousand dollars. The first pastor of the church wa -- Rev. J. C. Drake, from 1851 to April, 1834; succeeded by Isane S. Parsons, to April, 1857; Rev. Philander Shedd, from July, 1859, to February, 1860; George Bal- corn, to 1863; E. W. Lounsbury, to 1564 ; and Rev. Jesse Elliot. from 1868 to April, 1874; at other times the pulpit was supplied by students from the Rochester Theological Seminary. The corner-stone and con-ceration services of their church edifice were conducted under the supervision of Rev. J. C. Drake. The present officers of the church are-Deacons. G. P. Galpin and George Stripp, and the clerk, George Stripp, and the present membership, forty-eight. In 1865. Jane Denny transferred, as a gift to the church, its present parsonage. A Sabbath-school was

established in connection with the church immediately succeeding its organization It was formed by the church officers, under the direction of the pastor, Rev .J C. Drake, aod Deacon Andrew Cone mule first superintendent. It now compri.r. seven teachers and about sixty-tive pupuls, with Charles E Osthout, superintendent Books were purchased at the formation of the school for a library, which he received additions as required It now contains nearly three hundred volumes. with Luria A Purnell, librarian io charge.

THE ST. VINCENT DE PAUL'S CHURCH OF CHURCHVILLE (CATHOLIC)

was organized in 1869 by Rev. M. Purcell, of Rochester. Previous to this, in the year 1868, Rev. Richard J. Story, of Brockport, visited this village a tow times, and celebrated holy mass at the residence of Wm. Bodette. \ church building was purchased and taken possession of in 1870. It was built of wiurl. at a cost of two thousand dollars, and capable of accommodating about one hundred and fifty persons, and was dedicated the same year by the Right Rev. B. J. Me- Quaid, D. D., Bishop of Rochester. During the year Rev. J. F. O'Hare succeedrd Father Purcell as pastor of this mission. In 1871 he enlarged the church build. ing to its present capacity of accomunudating three hundred. In September, 1572. Rev. H. De Rogge succeeded Father O'Ilare in the pastorate, which he supplied until June. 1873. Up to this date the pastors alt lived in Rochester, and cattur to Churchville, when duty called, to celebrate mnass or to conduct church servier -. Rev. W. Mulheron succeeded next, and was the first resident pastor of this church. lle remained until October. 1-74. when he was succeeded by Wm. Morrin. the present incumbent, who began his pastoral charge on October 19. The present officers are Lorenzo Lemmon and Patrick MeDermott. The Sabbath-school was established in the church in 1871 by the pastor, Rev. Father D'Hare. It was presided over by. bim, as-isted by Misses Eliza Timmons. Mary Bodette, and Maggie Hines, and about fifty pupils. It is now superintended by l'ather Morrin. assisted by Philip Randall. Jas, Desmond, the Misses Eliza Thumons, Margie Hines, Mary Bodette, Kittie Hines, Rachel Hines, Mary Scanlon, and Hattie Morrin, as teachers, with a large attendance of pupils. In 1873 Father Mul- heron organized a library, which now contains one hundred volumes, of which the following persons have bad charge : Peter Malcaux, Paul Sheehan, and Wm. Gargan.

. WHEATLAND.

THE town of Wheatland was formed from Caledonia. as Inverness, on February 23, 1821, and in the April following received ita present nime. Its title is most appropriate; its fertile soil and its adaptation to the culture of grain are such as tu render it the granary of the county. It is rich in its marl and gypsum. Along the east border flows the Genesee river, and through the centre of the town Alleo's creek wends its way eastward to mingle with it its waters. The surface is rolling, and the soil a loam blended locally with clay and with sand and gravel, and rest- ing apon limestone formation.

A PIONEER LOCALITY.

The present town of Wheatland, a fragment of Caledonia, is not only materially rich, but in its history brings the attention to the fact that within its limits was begun the settlement of all that territory extendiog from the Genesee to the west- ern boundary of the State. The " white woman," Mary Jemison, had reached the Indian towo across the Genesce, shared in the destruction of property in 1779, and at the close of the Revolution received a grant of the Gardeau reservation, a townahip in size and a garden in fertility. Ebenezer Allen. a white otau in color and race, and an Indian in life and cruelties, having fled civilization, joined the tories of Brandt and Butler. and reveled in scenes of bloodshed and barbarity along the valley of the Su-quehanna. As the war ciosed, Allen appeared upon the Genesee river and labored upon the lands of Mrs. Jewiison. In 1783 he had gone to Philadelphia, and. returning with a horse and some dry-goods, settled at Monat Morris and built there a house. lle bartered for furs and ginseng, which were sold at Niagara. Turning his attention again to agriculture. he planted corn, and, having gathered in a heavy erop. moved down to the mouth of Allen's creek. Here he obtained a gift from the Indians of three hundred acres of land, and in- creased his estate by the purchase from Phelps aod Gorham of one hundred and seventy more. He erected a good log house upon rising ground a short distance from the confluence of the two streams, and had a stock of goods furnished by the British as presents to the Indians, which he permitted them to receive for an equivalent in furs and other articles of trade. Here, then, a recluse. a polygamist, and a desperado, yet a trader, a farmer, aod ao Indian agent, dwelt the first settler of Wheatland, the pioneer white occupant of Mooroe. The legitimate pioneers of the Genesce valley were the Shaffer family. Peter Shaffer, a native of Peno- sylvania, emigrated to Ontario county, in company with his sons Peter and Jacob. in 1789. At this time he had reached the age of eighty-five years, a period of life when men usually are averse to change of habitation. The family arrived at Geneva in July, and proceeded to Ganargwa creek, in Bloomfield, where a pur- chase was made from General Fellows of twelve hundred acres of land. This tract was bestowed upon his three daughters, and in Deecoiber Mr. Shaffer visited Ebenezer Allen and found him possessed of horses, cattle, twenty acres in wheat, and well-nigh sixty acres of choice land under cultivation. The ruling thought in the mind of Mr. Shaffer now became apparent, and reflects credit upmin hia forethought and manhood. He desired before his death to establish his family upon the only basis of permanent values-a goed farm house. At the then high price of two dollars and fifty cents per arre, the Shaffery became buyers of Allen's tract, and he in the terms of sale included an aere of wheat upon the ATwood, and a sow pig, whose errunt wandering in the woods caused a Shaffer a winter night's lodging within a hollow log in the forest. The Shaffers, father and sons, shared the cabin of Allen through the winter, and fareil apon Indian publiog prepared by Mra. Dugan, sister of Allen, and the milk of two cows which they had brought in. Appde-seuls had been brought by the Shaffers from Penn- ylvania, and planted in December, 1789, and the orchard which grew therefrom: was the first in New York west of the Genesee, excepting the French orchard at Seblower. The valley below the form of Shaffer was tardy of settlement. The first settler was Joseph Morgan, who located in 1792, aljoining the Shaffer, A Laughter of Mr. Morgan, Mrs. Early, has since occupied the place. A mon, Joseph, resided a short distance below upon the river. The farm house: built by the Shaffers was the first fraquel farm-ilwelling in the country west of the river. The hours of this antiquated structure were made with wrought nails, its door-hinges of wrap iron, and its locka, latches, and handles were the handiwork of the pioneer

blacksmith. Mr. Shaffer and his son Jacob died within a short time after their . advent, but Peter lived long, and in his social, political, and financial relations was felicitously situated. His sons were Peter, Levi, Daniel, and George; the last- named is the owner and occupant of a farm in Chili. He is far advanced in years. Mrs. Philip Garbutt and Mrs. Caleb Allen were bis daughters. Ilis children re- sided in Wheatland and Chili until their death.

THE EARLY SETTLERS OF WHEATLAND.

A roll-call of the prominent, and brief comment npoo their journeys, improve- ments, lives, and their descendants. is all that space permits to the pioneer settlers of this favored locality. Isane Scott, founder af Seottsville, was the keeper of a tavern about 1790, and his stand was the first in the town. This fact is noted as initiatory to the introduction of other pioneers, while his brief history is reserved for its place in the annals of Scottsville. The first farm west of Scott's tavern Was porchased and occupied by Powell Carpenter; it is the property now owned by W. A. Williams. Mr. Carpenter moved upon his farm in 1804, and erected a cabin upon lot No. 5ti. He built the frame house, now standing upon that land, in 1814 ; interested himself in real-estate, publie works, and became a promi- Deot man, a supervisor, and finally side judge. He was the builder in 1830 of the brick will yet existing, and owned by Malcolm MeVean. Ile presed his life in the ocighborhood. Mr. Carpenter had ten children; part of the family re- moved to Michigan. Ira, a son, ran the mill and sold goods in connection with it for some time. He became a side judge io Monroe County, and. moving to Indiana, died at Indianapolis. Newman Warren cleared up and lived upon the farm where his son Benjamin resides ; located upon the river, he kept a good ferry. His land was productive, and he was content with his possession, on which he lived till his death in 1813, at the eighty-third year of his existence.

Samuel Cox moved hither from Stillwater in 1803 or 1804, and took up tempo- rary quarters within a hewed-log house bailt by one Templin, who had gone upon the Street farm. The family dwelt in this house until the approach of winter, when removal was made to a double log house where Quinn now resides. Mr. Cox died about 1825. In this family were seven children. Joseph, Isage, and James settled in town. James first farmed his father's place, and later removed to the vicinity of the present Catholic church, and was the builder of the brick parsonage. The only surviving child in town is Ketura Miller, born in 1705. and Mrs. Mary Shadbolt, of Berry, is now eighty-five years of age. Where Isaac Budlong lives dwelt James Wood and a large family. He sold to Samuel Cox. and moved to Chili. Opposite the present dwelling of Schuyler Budlong stood a log house in the carly day, wherein lived and died John Smith, a surveyor. 'mmon io name, be was distinguished by his profession. He was an early Lochofmaster, and so likewise was Joseph Thorn, a resident near Warren s. Hira Peabully moved from Shaffer's flats to a farru in the south part of town. and built, in 1805, a house near where James Martin resides. He had five chil- We'reo .- Gay, Hiram, William. Fanny, and Laura. All removed to Ohio. Enny Finch settled near the Catholic Corners, by which his brother had erected a black- 2: mith-shop. Darius Shadbolt came in from Saratoga county in 1805, and settled shere T. A. Stokes now lives. His death occurred apoo the place during 1510. seventy-eight years of age. Three daughters are living. Mr. Annie Cox and Mrs. Phoebe Cushman reside in town. and Mrs. Sarah Bowen lives near Geneva. A number of Quakers, among whoin were Joseph and Isaac Cox, formed them- selvea into a society, and built a frame one-story meeting-house. Societary re- lations were concordant aml profitable until the division upon doctrinal points in 1827, and the formation here as elsewhere of the two sets,-the Orthodox and the Hicksite. The former built a new stone church, which they afterwards wohl to the flicksites, and built farther south a fearord meeting-house, where. with ro- duced numbers, they still hold meetings. The few Micksites now resident of town attend meetings in Meudon.

The pioneer settler upon lot 6i was Renheo Heath, from Vermont. Stopping first at Howarsfield, he then came to the river and bired out to Mr. Shafter. where. in a single sait of buckskin. he earned the means to parelace a form. Hle bailt himself a small Ing house, where stands the Me Vean house, how wwurd

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Page-189 Grandfather Francis albright was an Orthodox quaker and when I was quite young , and ! Grandmother dich not care to go to meeting , he would let side with him to meeting . IF. allright 19/2

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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, NEW YORK.

by Dr. William Licy. At his death David McVean breame owner of the fartu. Heath had four children. Ekhridge lived in Wheatland. as did Mrs. Halsted, Mrs. Nettleton, and Mrs. Hyde. The last named is yet living, a citizen of Scottsville. Jacob Hetsler, a German, purchased and settled upon a farm on lot 58. He was une of the first in the neighborhood, and, being at the time well advanced in years, did nut long live to carry on his pioneer labors. At his death the property was sold, and has passed through various hands to the present, while his chibiren have moved to different localities. Levi Lacy was the primal greupant of the farm now the property of Abram Scofield. He was prominent in town affairs. Among the offices held was that of' magistrate. He died in town, leaving a large family, une of whom, Dr. William G. Lucy, is a resident physician. John McVean, a shepherd by occupation, emigrated from Perthshire, Scotland, in 1811, and settled upon a fartu of four hundred acres, in Wheatland. He built a log cabin near where now stands J. J. McVean's hor -- barn, and, with his four boys, engaged in :lcaring up his fields. A man of ability, he was sent to the legislature from this 'county ; but his life was not protracted, and his death took place when about fifty- five years of age. The faroi was partitioned to the sons David, Duncan, John, ¡and Archibald. David moved to lot Gl, and Archibald went to York, in Living- stun county, and is the sole survivor, at the age uf seventy-two. Duncan died ,in 1856; Joha, in 1870, aged seventy ; and David, in 1876, aged seventy-eight. These meo were of the prominent townsmen, and have left behind them many descendants to emulate their virtues and fill their places in society. Donald Me- Vean, brother of John, was a willwright, and came to the town with the first Scotch settlers. Ile was employed by the Wadsworths to build the mills at Conesus, and put up the first ovill in Scottsville. Selling his village prop, y, he bought a large farm, which he apportioned among his sons. Mr. MeVean built the brick house now owned by M. Price. A son Hugh is the only one in town. Junathan and John live in Darian. and James in Caledonia. A daughter. May, married David MeVean, and died in town. Harris Rugprs settled in Wheatland in 1807, upon lot 39, where a son, D. E. Rogers, now resides. He did as all houseless movers upon a farmu in a state of nature were known to do, and, with the erection of a cabin, cleared a few acres the first year. and enlarged his fields as time gave opportunity. He died in 1821. Three sons are residents of town,- Martin, a Scotsville merchant; Shernian, a carpenter and joiner; aud Byron, an insurance agent.

Zachariah Garbutt was an English whig. Persecuted for party principles, he borrowed thirty guineas and emigrated with his family to America. The pastige- . money was repaid by his son Juhu with the proceeds of labor at shoemaking. The family remained near Sing Sing two years, and in 1800, journeying to the Genesee country, settled upon a truet of sixty acres in the town of Seneca. John, the oldest son, bought land un lot 48, on Allen's creek, in 1803. and thither came the family, and gave the name to the hamlet of Garbuttville. There were three sons of Zachariah,-John, Philip. and William. John's home is now owned by A. Kelly. He represented his district in the legislature of 1820, held town offices, and died here, aged about sixty-five. A son, Elmer II. Garbutt, is a merchant in New York city. Another son, Voley, is a farmer in Greece. W. F. Garbutt had held held several town offices, and taken an active part in local affairs. His death took" place at the housestead. Wm. Garbutt located where his son Philip lives. The first habitation erected upon the farin was a log house, put up in 1815. Tu this cabin he soon brought a wife, and engaged with zeal in the eunduct of his farm and in the performance of various publie duties ituposed by his townsmen. . His methods of farming were a subject of approving remark, and he was regarded as a model farmer. Ile died, advanced in years, at the homestead. His wife yet survives. Three sons-William D., Philip, and Robert-are leading farmers of the town. Philip Garbutt, the youngest of the three brothers, married a daughter of Squire Shaffer. and bought of his father-in-law the mills known as "Garbutt's mills," and the land upon which extensive aud valuable plaster-beds were dis- covered in 1810-11. Philip did a good milling business for years, and in connec- Mit 'in carried on a store. After him the place, as noted, took its name. He migrated to Ohio, as I there died. His widow returned, and died amid the familiar scones uf youth. A son John owns the old till of his father, and resides on the house- stend.

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History of Monroe county, New York with illustrations descriptive of its scenery, Palatial residences, Part 72

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