History of Monroe county, New York with illustrations descriptive of its scenery, Palatial residences, Part 76

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 76

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The first dwelling-house erected in the town was by Juseph Morgan, on his farmu near the southeast corner of the town and along the south line. It was a rudely-constructed log building. erected in 1792. He also cleared the first land and raised the first grain. At this place. and to Peter Shaffer's, adjoining, in the town of Wheatland, the first settlers of the region north to Lake Ontario Were compelled to come for thwir seed-grain in the first year of their settlements But little money. however, was treeivedl, they bring generally di~titute. They remained at the time of purchase, and paid for it by labor 'This section of non- try was for many years the out of all public movements and operations of all the new vetintry west of the Genesee river. Joseph Morgan also planted the first fruit trees in the town, and, with f'ulouel Josiah Fish, set out the two first

orchards. These orchards, with that of Peter Shaffer's. were un loutdaily the ouly orchards for many years in all the vast country west af the river. if we exerpt the scattering true, set out by William Hencher at the month of .he river It is withy of remark that at this time the site of the city of Rochester. in the neighborhood of the falls, prevented no indications. to the show.dost .... server. of a future great city. Nine miles from the Like -- the fall. and the shallow water below preeluding all possibility of navigation ; marsh and -watup, with their dormant stores of malaria awaiting the disturbing hond of man t .. send forth the almost incurable fever and agne-there remained its fine water- power, and its possible location in the great channel of travel and enterprise be- tween the east and the sleeping west, to attract the few whose prophetic vision might forecast the future. But it had no attractions for the immigrant Hle saw its forbidding features, and the wife and mother shuddered as she heard the rattlesnake. which in large numbers then basked in the -un where now the rush of business surges and roars unceasingly, and, clasping her little one closer to her bosom. hastened over the river tu the more promising laudis of th> western towi., Lands were refused at any price, and even as late as 1812 and 1814, immigran's who left New England for the purpose of purchasing at the falls, were ret ..!!! at the enormous price of four dollars per acre for lands now in the heart of the city, on Male and State streets, and moved on across the river into this town. al purchased and settled un lands at the same price that were much better aud. at that time, far more promising.

The second house erected, a very primitive structure, which has been deserilx 1. was built by Josiah Fish at the mouth of Black creek. Colonel Fish was the first supervisor of the old towe of Northampton, organized in 1797. He i- Tv- ported as a large, portly man, of commanding presence. with strong points of character, and as one of the most active and influential men of his day. He dil uot remain long in his home at the mouth of Black creek, but. through atting ... ments made with old Ebenezer Allen, he moved to Rochester and took elrirge of " Allen's mill." His dwelling-heuse at that place was but little better than the one he had left, yet it was used for some time as a place of entertainment for travelers. In 1807 he removed to the town of Parma. where he took an arrive. part in the organization and public business of the town. holding several offices. and contributing not a little to its advancement. He died there in 1811. Ja-eph Morgan was one of the first road commissioners and path-masters of Northampton Both men were members of the first school committee of that town for the year 1799. The first death in the town of Chili occurred in the family of Josephe Morgan, and the first birth was a child of Joseph Wood, though their dates are unknown. The first grave aud interment was on the farm of Joseph Moreat. where also was erected the first distillery not only in Chili, hut west of the fieles.e river. It was known as " Peaboly's distillery," and was huilt some time previous to 1800. There is no record of any store, tavern, or mill haring been opened in the east part of this town, where for many years were the only settlements. until loug after they were opened in the west part. For several years the settlements were very few, and naturally drifted along the river. in the vicinity of the nhl - Tury Allen," as he was called. who had made some improvements. When they began to come in more rapidly. they penetrated to the west, where new roads atul Tage lines were established. which increased the tide that had already set in Along the Albany, Rochester, and Buffalo stage roads on the north, and the Chili -tage road through the centre of the town. it was rapidly settled. and a necessity ni hese, especially taverns and stores, was soon felt. and they soon sprang into avid- ence neur those thoroughfares. The first store was erected in 1507. by .L.dnes Chapman, in the west part of the town, about one and one-half mile est and north of' Clifton village. A few years later another store was built and opened by - " Mr. Filkins at Chili Centre. It was the first store north of Black creek in this S .n. and was located where Andrew H. Campbell now lives. Later still, a stur as created and kept by one Hawes. on the southeast corner, opposite the Iroda- Lerian church, one mile west of the Centre. and about the same time yet another at Buckbee's Coruers, one mile south of Chili station, by Theodore Wina- Other stores had been ervetel before this, from time to time, at thrifton, a -mall hamlet in the southwest turner of the town. and in the vicinity. About fiuty years ago a store was established at North Chili. on the old Buffalo road. in the extreme northwest corner of the town, by Lavi Campbell. The first tavern kopf io town was abont I> 11, or before, hy Elias Streeter. It was located on the Chili and Spencerport road, between two and three miles south of Backber's Corners. and stood on the southwest corner. Soon after. Paul Orton opened the sound tavern at the sune place, on the northeast corner Soon after. the third public- house was created and opened three-fourths of a mile east of the two former. The structure is still standing on the southeast corner, and is known as the l'hai he red tavern. It was kept by one Pommek. though it is not known that he was the first owner. Report connects it with a gang of counterfeiters, to which l'eauak and one or two others in the vicinity belonged. It is celebrated as being the stone

Page 197. North Chili is where Many Julian House lived on a farm many years, now (1912) in Rochester. - Who Ruch quese Theight now lives in North Chili . (1912) E. F. Albright

198

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, NEW YORK.

of some of their meetings and secret transactions, at least so suspected und believed by the community. It was fivally broken up, l'enwerk and some associates were sentenced to the penitentiary, and the tavern passed into uther hands. At that time this was the most active and business part of the town. Three taverns, stores, sod blacksmiths, with a line of stages, and many settlers in the vicinity, gave it the appearance of enterprise and growth. Mills were in operation and doing a large business only a short distance west, and the taverus generally full of travelers and new-comers. About this time a tavern was opened at Chili Centre, by Timothy L. Bacon, which stood near the site of the present Baptist church. The timbers of the original structure are still to be seen, laid away for the construction of another building. Isaac Chapman erected the second hotel at the Centre, which stood a few feet north of the one kept by Mr. Wood, which he also built. At the time that Bacon kept the first at the Centre, Joshua Eaton kept a hotel on the Chili road, about two miles east of the Centre. Still another was in operation due east of the Centre, on the Genesee river. At se early date a tavern was opened in Clifton, which is still standing, and in operation. A tavern was also erveted and opened many years ago near the Presbyterian church, and conducted by Benjamin Sheldon, who is still living at that place. Not far from the year 1820, Levi Campbell built a tavern at North Chili, on the Buff.do road. The original structure is still standing, owned by T. Corliss, who also keeps the store at that place. When the stage line was established, a post-office was located in the tavern, with Robert Fulton postmaster. In 1826, Mr. Fulton leased the tavern, and kept it many years. The first saw-mill erected in town was put up and man- aged for many years by Joseph Carey, and still standing. It was built in 1807, and located on Mill creek north of Clifton, and directly west of Street- er's and Orton's taverns. A grist-mill was erected the same year, or very soon after, near the same place, by Jín CE Comfort Smith. His sons Iliram and Horace are extensive millers in this part of the country, owning several in Wheatland. The old mill is still owned by one of them. In 1811, Joseph Sibley erected a saw-mill in the vicinity of Buckbee's Corners, and shortly after built a grist-mill adjoining it, both of which he managed several years. They were the second of each established in Chili.

In the same year, 1811, Jacob Cole built the third saw-mill, one and one- half miles below Carey's, on the same stre im ; and still smother was erected abc at the same time on the farm be- longing to Joseph Morgan, which is the first one recorded built in the eastern part of the town. Other saw-mills followed these in different parts of the town as the settlements increased, and they were demanded to assist in clearing up the land for cultivation and in manufacturing the forest into lumber for the construction of farm buildings. After supplying these needs. they were nearly all destroyed or permitted to sink into decay. The oldest grave in the town, as reported, is on the old homestead of William Wooden, on the Chili road, where his father-in-law. Leonard Weidner, who died May 28, 1812, lies buried. It is not known that this was the first interment in that ground, however. Near the same time a burying-ground was established in the south- west part of the town, where it was then most densely settled. The few who died in town before these grounds were established were interred on the home premises, as way the common practice with the first settlers There are no records of the very first teachers and schools, if any existed, among the first set- tlements along the river. In the southeast corner, the school in Wheatland, which was established very early, way at convenient distanre, and no doubt used, as the whole country was in one town. Farther Inlow, instruction was no doubt given at private houses to the small number of children by some of the older ones, Such is the opinion of the oldest settlers now living, Schools, however, were taught in the southwest part of the town, in the neighborhood of Streeter's

CHILI SEMINARY.

tavern, in log buildings and private houses, as early as 1806, and possibly earlier, In 1810, Anna Niles, with seven or eight scholars, taught school in a room af her father's house in the northeast part of the town ; and Mrs. Blake, with nine scholars, on the Chili road, northeast of the Centre.

A log school-house was erected one and one-half miles cast of the Centre in which the first school was taught by a man named Thompson. But the best school-house erected north of Black ereek was a log building one mile west of the Centre. near the l'rerbyterian church.

CHILL SEMINARY

was founded mainly through the efforts of Rev. B. T. Roberts, of North Chili in the month of September, 1869. The institution is under the supervision ut the Free Methodist church, in the interests of which it was organized. All the branches of' study belvoging to an academie course or pursued in the various seminaries of the country are successfully taught, together with the elements ut Christianity, and the religious culture and training of the student is made an important feature in its discipline. It was first organized in the old tavern-staud at North Chili Post-office, where its first sessions were held until the completion of the main building of the magnificent structure it now occupies. It is built of briek, forty by sixty feet in size. fr stories high, and was finished suficient for occupaney the same year. In lets an sddition was erected, the east wing. also of brick, and the same height. thirty-eight hy fifty feet in size .- the whole structure, irrespective of grounds, costing twenty-one thousand two hundred and sixty-seven dullars It is located in one of the fine-t ser- tions of the State, on the north side of the old Rochester and Buffalo stage road, one-fourth mile elst of' North Chili or Hubbard's Corders.

The first board of trustees were- Rev. Benj. T. Roberts, president : . \~1 Abell, Wmn. Beklen. Amo- F. Curry. Seth M. Woodruff, Hiram A. Crouch. Jushua R. Annis. Daniel M. Sinclair. William Gould. L. Woodruff, War F. Geer. Juseph Mackey, Claudiu- Brainard, Leonard F. Halstead. George W. Coleman, and Bulwer Brach.

While it was held in the tavers the teachers were Rev. B. T. Robert -. principal, and Miss Delia Jeffries.

The first corps of teachers, after entering the new building, were Het Geo. W Anderson. principal : Mi -. F. F. Chement, prereptress ; and Mi -- Mary Carpenter, teacher of mathe- matics.

The present corps consists of lles. B. T. Roberts, principal ; Mrs. Su-ali Ullgett, preceptress; E. II. Roberts, teacher of languages ; and Miss L. M. Selles teacher of music and mathematics.

The present board of trustees are -Rev. Benj. T. Roberts. president and tre v. urer : Thomas Sully. secretary : A-a Abell. S. M. Woodruff. Joshua R. Aun -. Joseph Mackey. Wm. Gould, Gieo. W. Coleman, S. K. J. Cheshro. Tristam Cor- liss, Walter A. Sellew, R. W. Hawkins, Wm. HI. Doyle, and Philander II C'er- tis. Tuition, primary departinent. five dollars ; English branches, eight dollars . classics. ten dollars per terin ; board, three dollars per week.

CLIFTON.

There is no village in Chili, except the small hamlet of Clifton. which he remained unchanged in population many years. A post-office was early stile lished at that place in the days of stage-coaches, and it has -iner remainel thu fr Since the advent of railroads, the old course of things bas entirely changed. Sas no place can attain importance unless situated on the direct line of one of the Ar great arteries of commerce and travel, while there which sprang into life In i. ... their day either renriin stationary or are being gradually depopulated Al. a four years ago the post-ofice of North t'ili was removed to Clube station, though

PLATE LV.

ANAN HARMON.

MRS. A. W. HARMON .

RES. OF ANAN HARMON , CLIFTON, MONROE COUNTY, N. Y.

FARM & RES. OF BENJ. FELL

PAROLE GLOSTER A0 733FAN 9

MONROE COUNTY, NEW YORK.

MRS. N. DAVIS.

RESIDENCE OF, NORMAN DAVIS, NONROE COUNTY, NEW YORK

Nº DAVIS.

PLATE LVII.

198

PLATE LVIII

"MAPLE GROVE FARM RES. OF A. H. CAMPBELL, CHILI CENTRE, N. Y.

JOSEPH STOTTLE.

MARY A STOTTLE.

RES OF JOSEPH STOTTLE , CHILI, MONROE CO, N Y.

PLATE LIX

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, NEW YORK.

199

the petition of some of the citizens. . A conoter-petition succeeded in reinstating it at its former place, while a new po-t-office was then established at the station, less than one mile from North Chili. There is also a puist-office at Chili Centre, which was established there long before the construction of the New York Cen- tral Railroad.

In the war of 1812, Chili furnished several soldiers for the defense of the frontier and the settlements at the mouth nf Genesee river. This, at that time, was one of the most populous sections in this part of the State. In the war of the rebellion she was equally patriotic, always supplying her quota at every de- mand of the government. Men of both parties vied with each other in patristic effort, and to give encouragement to and to strengthen the arm of the govere- ment. The settlers of Chili and their descendants have been bountifully blessed with abundant returns for their labor in good erops and good prices until they have surrounded themselves with all the accompaniments of wealth and Insary, all of which has been drawn from the soil within three quarters of a century. The productions are the same as in the surrounding towns. the culture of fruit now receiving the greatest attention. Her schools, which have always been a matter of paramount interest with her people, are of the highest character and efficiency, and have kept pace with the growth of the town. She has thirteen good comfortable school-houses and sa many school districts.

THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF CHILI

was organized in a barn belonging to Isaac Browkaw. about the last of June, 1816, with sixteen members, as follows: Abel Belknap, Bertha Belknap, Patty Hem- mingway, Leah Merlin, Lydia Potter, Apollos Dewey, Daniel Clark, Conrad Mort- man, Nancy Merlin, Sarah Gridley, Timothy G. Baldwin, Joel Baldwin, Sarah Baldwin, Daniel Deming, Fauny Deming, and Lemnel Potter. The first deacons, Apolloa Dewey and Joel Baldwin, were chosen July 24, ISIG. The church was organized as the Presbyterian Church of Riga, by which it was knowu uetil the division of the town, in 1822. The first church building was erected noe mile east of Buckbee's Corners, in 1821, previens to which, worship was conducted sometimes in Mr. Browkaw's barn, and sometimes in private houses. In 1833, the second and present church edifice was erected on the same site,-a more im- posieg aed commodious structure, with a seating capacity of about five hundred, and at a cost of about four thousand dollars. It was consecrated to divine wor- ship on January 2, 1833, by Rev. Mr. Mead. This church has always beee con- nected with the presbytery of Rochester, though a short time previous to 1841 it changed to the Congregational form of government, and so remained until 1874, when it became a regular Presbyterian church. The first pastor of the church was Rev. Mr. Chase, who took charge in 1817. He was succeeded by Rev. Mr. Martindale, Chauncey P. Cook, Rev. Mr. Benedict, Silas Pratt, I .. Brooks, C. B. Smith, H. N. Shoct, J. W. Fox, James Feuner, C. E. Furman, Rev. Mr. Phelps, Rev. Mr. Hicks, and Rev. George Craig, the present incumbent, who assumed charge in IST4. Mr. Craig has also established and conducts regular divine worship at the school-houses of Distriet No. 3 of Chili. in the Valentine district io Greece, and in the Waffles district in South Gates. The present bench of elders are Ira Andrews, Tunis Browkaw, Benjamin F. Bowen, and A. H. Campbell, with a membership of sixty-six, and a congregation of seventy-tive. The church has experienced two important revivals, one io 1838, and one in January, 1876; the latter continning about nine weeks. The Sabbath-school was organized with the church, and has been continued with varying success ever since. It now has alx' t thirty pupils, and employs four teachers ; J. A. Andrews is superintendent. It has also a library in connection with it, in charge of Benjamin F. Bowen, librarian.

THE BAPTIST CHURCH OF CLIFTON

was organized in the year 1852, in a school-house in that village, by about fifty meerbers of the Wheatland Baptist church residing in and about Clifton. The first deacons of the church, elected the same year, were Charles Tenny, A. Harmon, and A. Hosmer ; and the first church clerk way William Mudge. Re- ligions services of the Baptist denomination were held in the school-house for many years before the organization of the church, by ministers from Wheatland, und continued to be conducted there until the construction of the present church "Jifice, in the latter part of the same year. It is a good, substantial structure, forty hy sixty feet in size, and erected at a cost. including grounds, of about four thousand dollars. The first pastur of the church was Rev. II. K. Stimson, whose Jastorate included two years. He was succeeded by Rev. E. F. Crane, one year ; Rev. J. C. Stevens, three years ; Rev. II. A. Rose, four and one-half years ; Rev. K. L. Little, two years; Rev. J. T. Seeley. six years, and Rev. L. Bailey, the present incumbent, whose pastorate began two and a half years ago. The officers now arting are, deacons, A. Harmon and G. Betteridge, and clerk J. R. Griffin. The present membership is one hundred and seventy-four. The Sabbath-seboel was organized by the same persons, and at the same place, about the year 1840.

Charles Tenney was the first superintendent. It now embraces about one huu- dred and forty teatri.ers and pupils, with George Betteridge, superintendent, and George Hetfer, clerk, and is one of the most flourishing Sabbath-schools in this part of the county. Connected with it is a well-selected library containing oue hundred and seventy-five volumes.

THE FIRST SOCIETY OF THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL, CHURCH OF CHILE

was organized in the west part of the town, at Buckbee's Corners, on March 20. 1832, and recorded in the county court March 31, following, with the following membership, viz. : John Grunendike, Jeste Buckbee, John Wayne. Asa Mis, Grunendike, Alesauder Hannah, Orrin II. Dix, George W. Rumsey, Edwin Pier- son, James Knapp, James Wickham. John Little. Oscar F. Wheeler, H. Arnold. John Prue, Samuel Rumsey, Alexander Rumsey, Lewis Combs. Z. Little, Thomas Hannah, Truman Strate. Cornelius O. Rumsey. Kinsey Stottles, Stephen Angel. - Pope. Franklin Cate, -- Gridley, William Emens, Nebon Arrowsmith. William Arrowsnuitb, Clark Dexter, James Brice, and Nicholas Vantassel. The first years of its organization were under charge of, and its services conducted by. Revs. John Widen and James Heremingway. Its first board of trustees com- prised John Grudendike, Jesse Buekbee, David Cole, John Wayne, Meursse Smith, James Hemmingway, Ir C. Winars, William Pixley, and Edwin Root. Services were conducted in the school-house until the erection of their first church building, about 1836. It was built of brick, and located at Buckbee's Corners. About 1850, or soon after, the first edifice was destroyed, and a new structure erected on the same site, which is the building now occupied. It was constructed of wood, with a scating capacity of about three hundred. The present board of trustees comprises Henry Davis, Kinsey Stottle, Edwin Coney, Samuel Wood, Kinsey Widner, St. John Cline. and Edward Emens. The stewards at present are Kinsey Stottle, Edwin Concy, Einerson Case, and John Jones; the class- leaders. John Jones and Edward Carey; and the church elerk is Edwin Coney. A short time previous to the construction of the last church building. aed when the society was large and in a flourishing condition,

THE METHODIST CHURCH OF NORTH CHILI

was organized at that place, and elected a full board of trustees. For a time meetings were held at the place of organization, or until the present structure was erected. It is a wooden building, located a few rods east of the corner at North Chili, on the south side of the old Buffalo road, and has a seating capacity of abont three hundred and fifty. This church belongs to the same circuit as the first society, of which it is a branch. The two together are independent, and conduct their meetings and Sabbath-schools in reference to each other. The class- leaders of this church are. at present, Joho Clark, Asa Alis, and Stephen Angel ; the stewards are Amos Baldwin, Stephen Angel. Joho Clark, John Ilutchins. Lauren Sinith, and Harvey Clark ; and the clerk of the society is Darius Spencer. The membership of the two churches is one hundred and twenty- five, and the present pastor Rev. Milton Hamblin, who began his pastorate in October, 1373 The Sabbath-school of the two churches consists of fifteen teachers and about one hundred and twenty pupils; Darius Spencer is superintendent at North Chili, and Edwin Coney at the South church. The library contains two hundred volumes.

THE PREE METHODIST CHURCH OF NORTH CHILI

was duly organized in the autumn of 1860 at North Chili, by a small band of sc- ceders from the Methodist Episcopal church of that place, who had withdrawn from the old organization oo acenunt of what they conceived to be extrajudicial and oppressive proceedings of the " Genesee annual conference." It had existed in an embryo state, in the form of a simple " hand." for nearly two years pri- viously, in 1859, at which time the seeeders began holding separate meeting The immediate cause of the separate meetings was the expulsion of Rev. Charlius Brainard from the Methodist Episcopal church for having participated in the proceedings of a " laymee's convention," which met at Albion in the month of' December, 1858. This convention, which was composed of about two hundredl members from forty-seven charges of the "annual conference," had taken decided action in favor of two expelled ministers and against the action of the conference. Mr. Brainard was a local elder in the Methodist Episcopal church, and had pre- viously belonged to the " annual conference." A large proportion of the member- ship, including some officials, feeling aggrieved at the decision of the church, and being unable, conscientiously, to join in worship with those responsible for such action, and thereby indirectly sustaining it, they withdrew from the meetings, and, scenring the services of Rev. Levi Wood, a local elder in the Metiunli-t Episcopal church, they inet for worship at Mr. Brainard's house. Here they held their meetings for more than a year, and, under the ministry of Mr. Wood, until the organization. " The t'onnectional Free Methodist Church of North America" was organized by a general delegated convention, at Pekin, Niagara

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History of Monroe county, New York with illustrations descriptive of its scenery, Palatial residences, Part 76

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