USA > New York > Monroe County > History of Monroe county, New York with illustrations descriptive of its scenery, Palatial residences > Part 82
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119 | Part 120 | Part 121 | Part 122 | Part 123
THE EVANGELICAL CHURCH (OERMAN METHODIST)
is situated one and a half tuiles cast of Webster village, on the " Salt road." Its first organization was in 1800. There were enrolled at this time seventeen members. The first meetings were held at the homes of members and in the school-house, by Rev. Leonhard Herman, who, assisted by his brother, Rev. Lud- wig Herman, effected the organization. The present church builling was erected in ISG1, is valued at eight hundred dollars, hus dimensions of twenty-six by thirty- six feet, and was dedicated on the 18th of August, 1801, by Rev. Mr. Weaver. The pastors on the charge in order have been as follows: Revs. Ludwig Herman. M. Lane. John Schaaf, Theodore Snider, Albert Unholte. Henry Fisher, C. . A. Wiseman, George French, and John Grenchach, its present pastor. The society contains a membership of sixty persons. The Sunday school was established in 1862, with twenty pupils. John Halloway was chosen the first superintendent. The present incumbent of that office is John W. Halloway. He has a school numbering fifty-five pupils, who are provided with a library of one hundred vol- umes.
THE EMANUEL CHURCH (GERMAN LUTHIERAN)
is situated one mile east of West Webster, on the Ridge road. Organization w.Is effected by a Rev. Me. Upelaker, in the year 1867, with fifteen members, among
214
HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, NEW YORK.
whom are Adam Herraan, Daniel Winneger, Michael Shoemaker, George, John and Michacl Grabb, John Altpeter, Frederick Shoemaker, Henry Staver, John Kalor, and Charles Conrad. The first meetings were beld by various pastors in the Presbyterian and Methodist churches, and until a building of their own was constructed. The structure was erected in 1868, is valued at one thousand six hundred dollars, and was duly dedicated during the year named. There were present at this occasion the Revs. Upelaker. Hoffman, and Miller. The house is twenty-four by thirty-six feet in size, and of ample capacity for all needs. The first pastor was the Rev. Mr. Miller, whose successor was Hoffman, then S. Chamberlain, and next, Gernt, the present pastor. The membership is twenty- five. A Sunday-school was established in 1868, with twenty-ove pupils. The first and present superintendent was Bernard Straup. The oumber in attendance has shown ao increase.
THE FREE METHODIST CHURCH,
situated at West Webster, owes its original organization to the Rev. William Gould, with four persons as members. These were E. R. Kenedy and wife and Mr. and Mrs. Box. The first meetings were held in a grove belonging to Mr. Kennedy, and at his dwelling-bouse. The carliest regular pastor on the charge was Rev. M. D. MeDougall, who was succeeded by Rev. J. Odell. It was during the ministration of the latter that the present church was erected. Rev. Odell was succeeded by Rev. O. J. Young, the latest pastor. The meeting-bouse was completed in 1873, is valued at one thousand two hundred dollars, and has sents for two hundred. In 1872 a Sunday-school was established in connection with the chorch. Twenty pupils were enrolled, and A. J. Moore was chosen superin- tendent. Warren Haner is now superintendent, and has a school of forty pupils, who are provided with a library of one hundred volumes.
THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF WEBSTER
was organized as a Congregational society as early as 1825, and at the time con- sisted of eight members, viz., Nathaniel Abbott. John Atwood, Benjamio Ford, Stephen Sherman, and their wives. The first meetings were held under direction of Rev. Mr. Carpenter, in barns, private residences, and at the school-house. The Rev. Mr. Calhoun followed Rev. Carpenter, and he was in turn succeeded by a Rev. Mr. Spicer. Ao occasion of controversy arose in the church, and, as a measure of settlement, the organization was changed in form from Congregational to Presbyterian.
The meeting-house crected in 1831 was the pioneer church of the town, and was located a short distance south of the four corners, in Webster village. The chorch was consecrated to divine worship by Rev. Richard Dunniog, who became the first pastor. Successive pastors have been Revs. Bliss, De Forest, Lemuel Brooks, James McFadgen. Day, Van Wormer, Mann, and Rev. Mr. Hall, who assisted to obtain subscriptions for a new church. The present church was built io 1855. It is a wooden structure, in size thirty-six by fifty-six feet, in value worth four thousand dollars. and is located in Webster village. Upon the com- pletion of the new house the old one was converted into a residence. On the dedication of the present church, in 1335, the sermon was preached by a Rev. Mr. Hall, of Rochester. The first pastor in this church, Rev. Mr. Holcomb, was succeeded in turn by Revs. Bellamy, MeMath, Harris, and McCartney. A period without a regular pastor was supplied by students from the Auburn seminary. Thea followed Revs. Van Auken, Hayward, and Copeland, the latest. There is a membership of sixty. The Sunday-school is contemporary with the church, and began with William Hicks as superintendent and with twenty pupils. The school is now conducted by Benjamin Wicks, and puoibers sixty- five pupils, who are provided with a library.
THE SECOND METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF WEBSTER,
now known as the Lake-Side Church, was organized by Rev. Gideon Osband, in 1839, and theo oumibered ten uwmbers, viz., E. H. Iloskins, Joshua Deits. Har- mon J. Curtice, Eliphalet Lawrence, and their wives, and Misses Chloe Ano Whitlock nud Lavinia Down". The pioneer meetings were held in the school- house of district No. 8, and the preaching was done by different pastors. The present church was erected in 1849, at a cost of one thousand five hundred dol- lars, and consecrated during the same year by a Rev. Mr. Ives, of Auburn. The house stands in the northeast part of the town, on the county and tuwn line road, and has a seating capacity for three hundred people. The first pastor on the charge was Rev. Amos Hard, who was succeeded by Rev. Ortavius Mason. At the expiration of his terin, Rev. O. N. Roberts became pastor, and as such con- tiques. There is n nwrabership of seventy-five. Robert Wicky became the superintendent of the Sunday school, organized soon after the church was built.
It has been very flourishing, and contains one hundred and thirty-five scholars. A good library is possessed by the school, which is now superintended by L. R. Boynton.
THE TRINITY CHURCH (ROMAN CATHOLIC)
dates its original formation to the year 1859, when it enrolled twenty-eight mom- hers. Meetings were held. until the builling of the church, at the house of Mr. Koons, by Rev. Mr. Van Empsted, the first pastor. The present church was erected in 1860. It is located on the Ridge road, half a mile east of Winter village. The corner-stone was laid in June, 1860, and the dedication occurred in May, 1861, the scriuon being preached by Rev. Hoelcer. The builling huis a value of three thousand five hundred dollars; dimensions of thirty-five hy fifty- two feet, and seats for three hundred. The first pastor was Rev. Mr. Hleginer. who was succeeded by Rev. Peter Small, the present pastor. There is a mem- bership of one hundred and twenty-five. A Sabbath-school was established in 1871 by Rev. Small, with eighteen scholars; the number has since been aug- mented.
THE WEBSTER BAPTIST CHURCH
was organized by Rev. Jason Corwin in 1830, with thirteen members, viz. : Ziba Curtice and wife, Asa G. Felt and wife, Jesse Curtice and wife, Abrain Fuster and wife, and Misses Clementina Stearns. Mary Stearns, Harriet Foster, Matilda Bass, aod Permiclia Phillips. The first meetings were held over a wagon-shop. The old church was erected in 1832 in Webster village, at a cost of two thousand dollars, with a capacity to seat three hundred people, and was dedicated in the spriog of 1832. From 1860 to 1872 it was in use as Webster Academy, and was then destroyed by fire. Pastors of the church have been Elders Jason Corwin. Philander Kelsey, Linus J. Reynolds, Henry B. Kenyon, Jonas Woodward. . A. Whitman, E. J. Scott, O. D. Taylor, S. P. May, S. II. Tatt, and S. F. Ilolt. whu was pastor during the construction of the new church. The present church ofiter was erected in 1855, and dedicated January I, 1857. It is built of cobble-stone. and is valued at ten thousand dollars. The first and subsequent pastors in the new church were S. F. Holt, Walter Holt, Ira Bennett, S. D. Merrick. Alfred Wells, E. F. Main, and E. Edwards. A Sunday-school commenced as early as 1835, with fifty pupils. The present superintendent is L. S. Middaugh, who has a school numbering one hundred and twenty-five pupils. A new library is autici- pated, and the school is active and progressive.
THE FIRST METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF WEUSTER,
known as the Centre or Old Church, was organized in 1830 by Rev. Seth Mutti- son, with eight members, viz. : William and Phoebe Stratton, Ephraim and Su-an Wilcox, Charles and Hannah Close, Almond Smith, and Benjamin Whitehead. who joined on Thursday of the week. On the following Sunday an addition to the roll was made by the reception of Julia Jordan, James and Sally Hawley. and John and W. W. Mandeville.
First meetings were beld in the school-house by Rev. Seth Mattison, who be came the first pastor. He was succeeded by Joseph Tompkinson, and he by Jonathan Huestis, under whose direction the church was built. The prozent church was created in 1832 on a site one and a half miles west of Webster vil- lage, on the Ridge road. It was dedicated the same year by Rev. John Copelunl. has an estimated value of three thousand dollars, and will seat three luunwired people.
Rev. James Lent became its first pastor, and has been succeeded by A-il N. Fillmoore, Jonathan Benson, James Hall. Gideon Osborn, Auros Hand, George Wilkinson, Julin Robinson, Jolin Powell, Jonathan Benson a second term. C'al- vin S. Coats, Lina J. Buck, Delos Hutchinson. Porter MeKiustry. Thoma- 1: Hudson, Joha MI. Bull, Josiah Acuold, and Luther Northway. During North- way's terin it was decided that the church building. now sowiewhat dilapidated. should be sold, and in its stead two new churches built, one at Weiter village by the members from the eastern part of the town, and the other at West Webster by those from the western portion. Unsatisfictory movements in realizing thi- scheme led to a refitting of the old church by a portion of the members, and a resumption therein of services. The three churches at present fortu two charg ... viz .: that at Webster village forms one charge, and those at Centre church and West Webster another. Rev. Northway was succeeded by Saunel Nichols. 1. L. Boun, William Bradley, IT. T. Giles, J. C. Hitchenck, Joseph Ashworth. S M. Merritt, John Parker, J. C. Stevens, W. L. Richards, Porter Mckinstry, and Rev. J. E. Wallice, the present postor. There is a membership of sixty. . Sunday-school was established in 1832 by Rev. Elijah Preston, himself stine ay superintendent, with seventy-five pupils. The prescot number of popul- I- thirty-five, superintetaled by Norman Cook. Reading-matter is supplied by a library of one handredl and fifty volnores.
1
JAMES HARRIS.
Willam Harris, the father of the subject of this sketch, was a netivo of Scotland. Ile omi- grated to the Voited States with his parents ia 1802, anil settled in what is now Fuitoo cuuoty. this State. In April, 1406, he married Sally Shon- arant, whose socestor", tho Mckees. were anoog the most prominent families aol early settlers of Washington county, New York, so.l io Juna fol- lowiog, io company with his wife's parents, bo removed to western New York, and settled in what in gow the towa of Webster, with the early history of which bis naine is sutuustely associated as the Brat teacher in the early schools of it: pivoeer det. tlements. A few years later he soll his place, and going to Penfield he purchased the farm now owned by bir oo. W'm. Harris. . Ir .. where he re- sided nottl bis denth io 1542. Eleven children were buro to him, of whom five wos sol four daugb- ters still survive, viz .. W'm. Jr., James, Geo. F., Kubert, Peter, Mrs. A. P. Ushorn, Mrs. J M. Wat. wo, Mrs. Albert Raymond. and Mrs. Ihrum Alleo. all residents ot l'eauchl, except Mre. Watson, who lives in Perriaton. Ilis oldest son lied io early wanhood. sod bis Jonogest .laughter in tofancy. James Harris, the second living wou. and the sub- ject of this akelob, was hurd in Prufield. July 7, 1821. He wa- Pareil a former. carly inured to labor, and lisciplmel io those rigid torul precepts and virtues that are so essential to a successful hfe. Like the youth of chat duy his eilucation was limited to the common school, except two terms ut a select schoul in Penfield village. In his twentieth year he entnoreneed teaching winters, which he followed a few years, and when twenty- two years of age was elected justice of the peace fur a term of four years. Besides other offices of trust, bo hos represented his town on the county board of supervisors fifteen years, and from that was elected county treasurer in 1875, which ofice
JAMES HARRIS.
bs now holds. to pulities Mr. Harris is a Repuh liesa, and during the war of the rebellivo, with his brothers, labored zealousty and contributed largely in meaus to tho support sud «necesatul prosecution of the war. It in worthy of note, that when the call of three hundred thoussod mra was made in July, 1963, followed in August by & second call of three hundred thousand more Mr. Hotris was supervisor of Penfield, and was givea full authority to supply the quuta of the town (sixty-three meo), by paying the large bogoty voted. It was customary every where to receive one, two, or three years' meu on such ueca. sions, which Mr. Harris hod full power to de. But in justice to his town, with the large bounty offered, and uulike all other Inenlities, he insisted ou three years' men, with which he succeeded io Alling the quuta. Asa result, though the war closed about a year after, when the law was passed for the eqoslizatino of hounties, the tewo uf Penfield! was reimbursed for the two extra years of each sublier not rerved. amounting to over twenty thuusand dollars, nearly enough to pay her whole honuty expenditures. Mr. Harris was engaged io trade at Peoflebl village fruen 1810 to 1856, after which ba porchased so.l removeil to the farm where he oow resirles. He married, December 1, 1849, Martha M. Pope, of l'enfield, a descendant of General Jou- etbao Fassett, wbure name was connected with the early history of this country. Four children were born to them , one suo married and settled in the vicinity, ouother is in the county treasurer's office, and a third with his daughter at huure. Mr. Harris is now io the prime of life, has been promi. nently connected with the interests aod business of the county, and hy judicious muongemicot bas passed through the various fouocial revulsions without embarrassment. Conscientions In the discharge of all public duties, be sustains & repo. tation of the highest integrity.
RES. OF JAMES HARRIS, PENFIELD MONROE CO, NY
PLAY
BLACKSM ·
MRS. SAMUEL PIERCE.
P
DOCK AT THE BAY.
RES. OF S
LAKE WIEW LC. . . VIEWS AT PIERC
STOW
SAMUEL PIERCE.
F
STATION.
IVIL PIERCE.
ATTE
MYIROE CO., N.Y.
.
215
HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, NEW YORK.
THE FIRST METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF WEBSTER VILLAGE,
a branch of the old church, was organized in 1839 by Rev. L. Northway, with fifty-tive members ; its meetings were held in the new church. erected in 1-60 in Webster village. This fine brick edifice, valned at ten thousand dollars. was com- pleted and dedicated in 1861. Rev. John Dennis preached the dedicatory ser- mon. The pastors have been Samuel Nichols, C. L. Boun, George Markham, George W. Chandler, MI. L. Leet, John Spinks, V. Wermants, Daniel S. Chase, Newton Hamlin, H. C. Corey, and Thomas R. Stratton, the present inenmbent of the office. There is a membership of fifty. Sunday- whools began with first meetings, Edward Collins being the first superinten lent. The pastor, Rev. Strat- ton, now acts in that capacity over a school numbering ninety-five. There is a library of one hundred and fifty volumes.
THE FIRST METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF WEST WEBSTER.
a branch of the old church, was organized hy Rev. L. Northway in 1859, with about forty members. No regular division of the oldl congregation has been made. Some go east, and others west, at option. First meetings were held in the school-house at West Webster by Rev. Northway. The bureh, a fine brick
structure, was built during the summer of 1359, and was deliented in the spring of 1860 by Rev. William Reddy. The property is valued at three chousatul dollars, and the building has seatage for three hundred persons. Rev. 1 .. North- way became its first pastor. He was followed by Samnel Nichols, C. L. Boun. William Bradley, 11. T. Giles, J. C. Hitchcock. Joseph Ashworth, S. M. Merritt John Parker, J. C. Stevens, W. I. Richards, Porter Mckinstry. and Rev. J. E. Wallace, the present pastor. There is a membership of sixty persons. A Sin- day-school was established when the church was organized, with S. C. Poet as superintendent, and one hundred and twenty-five pupils. Mr. Peet is the present superintendent, and the school, less in numbers, is well supplied with reading- matter from a library of three hundred volumes.
Thus, briefly, settlement. incident, and ecclesiastical history have been notel. and in proportion as the past has heen free from error the present has been pros- perous. There is a lesson taught by a study of the history of Webster,-out the less valuable from its simplicity. The lands that the pioneers primarily avoided and rejected have become famed for the culture of the apple and other fruits, and enhanced in value as they increased in demand. Industry, forcing its way through obstacles, has triumphed over di-couragement, and the wilderness has put on the appearance of careful aud intelligent eulture.
PENFIELD.
ORGANIZATION, ETC.
ON April 6, 1806, all that territory crubraced in the six northeastern towos of Monroe County was brought under one town organization, and known as the town of Boyle. On March 30, 1810, the town of l'enfield, which then also included Webeter, was set off; but the first election of town officers, according to the records, did not take place until April 2, 1811. On that day all the frechelders entitled by law to vute met in town meeting, at the school-house ocar Win. Mc- Kinstry's store, ocar the present village of Penfield, and, under the direction ut Caleb Lyon, Esq., proceeded to elect the following officers, viz. :
-
Supervisor, Wm. Mckinstry ; Town Clerk, Brooks Masse ; Assessors, Nathaniel Case, Charles P. More, Josiah J. Kellogg; Road Commissioners, Caleb Lyon, John Shoecraft, David Lee; Overscers of the Poor, Benjamin Tripp, W. Spears; Constables, Daniel Wilson, Joseph J. Shew, Reuben Bailey ; Committee of In- spection of Accounts, Ezra Randall, Ebenezer Peet, David Camp; Coilector, Daniel Wilson; Pound-muster, Elijah Case ; Overseers of Highways and Road Districts, twenty-five.
.
It was voted to build a pound on the southwest corner of Elijah Case's farm, and Peter Martet, Isaac Beatty, and Elijah Case were appointed a committee to construct it, at a cost of forty dollars, appropriated for that purpose. Thirty dol- lars were appropriated for the poor, and fifty dollars as a bounty fur wolves, at five dollars each. At a special town meeting, April 13, 1814, the first school officers were elected, as follows, viz. :
School Commissioners, Henry Fellows, Brooks Mason, John Shoecraft; School Inspectors, David Carop, Henry Sherman, Wm. Mckinstry, James Buck, Daniel Armes.
STATE ELECTION.
On the 26th, 27th, and 28th of April, 1814, a State election was held. at which a member of Congress, State senator, and a member of assembly were to be chosen, and the following was the result. For member of Congress, D. W. Lewis and Richand Smith each received one hundred and eighty-five votes, Micah Brooks fifty, and Peter B. Porter forty-six. Fur senator, Valentine Brother. Joseph Kirkland, Joshua Farman, and Jared Sanford cach ninety votes; and Philetus Swift, Barret Buckneld, Chauncey Loomis, and John J. Prendergast each nine- teen votes. For member of assembly, Themas Lee, Jr., Geun Robertson, Mason Hatfield, Gideon Pitty, and Samuel Blakslic received one hundred and eighty-five votes; David Sutherland, fifty-five; and Peter Allen. John I'rice, Ira Selby, and James Rosebrugh cach fifty-four vutes. The inspectors at this election were Wil- liam Spear, Ebenezer l'eet, Charles P. Mure, and Abram Foster, and the town clerk Ebenezer Peet.
FIRST PROPRIETORS, ETC.
Penfield at that time was the northeast town in Monroe County. In 1840 the town of Webster was set off and organized, since which time Penfield has remained unchanged. The original proprietors uf this township were Phelps and Gorham, who at a very early date sold it to General Jonathan Fas sett. of Vermont. In 1791, General Fassett came on and took possession of his purchase, had it surveyed into farin lots, and made preparations for its sale, but on account of its unpromi- ising appearance and uuhealthiness he abandoned it, returne 1 to Vermont, and sold his rights to a Mr. Ham, of New Jersey. Mr. Him, reserving two hundred acres three-fourths of a mile north of Pontiehl village for himself, sold the remain- der to General Silas Pepnon, who in turn sold out to Samuel P. Lloyd. Mr. Lloyd, about 1809, sold all right and title to Daniel Peufield. who in 1810 moved on and took pression. and gave name to the town organicul the same year. Probably no town in the present county of Monroe appware so unpromising in regard to location, soil, general appearance, and its kawn unhealthines, arising from the malaria ul' the low lands and marshes, which at that time appeared to compras a large part of its surface. As an indication of it- forbidding aspect pre- vious to settlement, the subjoined reminisrence of Cornelius Treat is given. Mr. Treat was long a resident of the town of Mendon, to which he emigrated in 1793, and Mr. Wadsworth was considering the purchase of this township, and came to make a rareful examination. He afterwards purchased and settled nt Big Tree, now Genesee.
REMINISCENCE OF CORNELIUS TREAT.
" In the month of October, 1795, James Wadsworth called on me to pilot him through the woods to Irondequoit ( now Penfield), the purchase of which he then had in view. We put up at night at the huuse of Caleb Hopkins. The e-quire interrogated me to know what I would have for supper. I told him he need Hot think himself at a tavern in Connecticut or Massachusetts, and if he got anything for supper he must think himself well off. This was then the only house in the township, and was located near the Irondequoit falls. We asked for salmon, and got it, with plenty of good bread and butter, potatoes, sauce, and nearly all kind- of vegetables, and very well cooked, tuo. I never ate a better supper. After supper tbe esquire remarked that we might have been at the best house in Con- Decticut and not have got as good as this in the wilderness. We spent four days exploring the land, putting up with Mr. Hopkins, and fared sumptuously on fresh salmon. After our examination was finished, Mr. Wadsworth was so disgusted with the land that he said he would not take it as a gift, for it was worth nothing. and we made our way home."
AREA, SURFACE, ETC.
Penfield in its present limits is about six and one-third miles in length. and four and one-sixth miles wide, giving an area of about twenty-five and one-half square miles, comprising twenty-two thousand four hundred and twenty acres. The soil is comprised of drift-sand and argillaceous loam, with considerable clay in places, rich and productive, with a generally level surface, though slightly roll- ing in places.
FIRST SETTLERS.
The first permanent settlement was made in this town as early as 1701. by Caleb Hopkins, near Irondequoit falls. At the same time, General Jonathan Fassett, then owner of the lands, with his son Jonathan, a Mr. Maybee, and four others, settled in the neighborhood of the old Indian landing. three miles below Penfield village; but they all abandoned the country on account of its sickly condition, except Mr. Maybee, who remained with Mr. Hopkins. Long before this, however, hunters and trappers had settled temporarily along the shores of Irondequoit bay and creek. They were a wild and reckless class, who associatedl and mixed mainly with the Indians. They bought ce lands, but squatted there with their families in rude log cabins, and, clearing only small garden-patches, they fal- lowed trapping entirely for a livelihood. They raised large families, some of them with Indian wives, and as settlements became numerous they packeil up and moved to the mouth of the Genesee river, where they again squatted. After a slett sojourn at that place the tide of emigratien again impelled them westward. where. in its unbroken wilderness, they passed out of sight and knowledge of the south . ments. The settlement of all this country was preceded by this wild eletetd. that hovered between the two extremes of savage and civilized life. Mr. Maybe calue by water from Mohawk to Palmyra, where he mounted his batran on " wheels and cut a road through to Penfield. After thew two settlements there is no record of others that were permanent until 1801, though several transient parties had made an effort which they abandoned on account of its nupromising appearance. In 1801, Libbens Ross and Calvin Clark, with their families, settled in town .: In 1804. John Hipp, of New Jersey, purchased of Mr. Ham, living near him, the two hundred aeres which he had reserved for himself, situated three-fourths of a mile north of Penfield village, and the same year moved and settled on it with his wife and six children, Margaret. James. Leonard. John. Mary, and Betsey. His son, John Hipp, Jr., then four years oldl. now owns and occupies the place. He first moved ir a rude log honse which stood near the site of the present dwelling, until a better block-house was constructed about thirty rods northwest. About half a dozen families were then residing in the town, and anung them, not mentioned. were Lane Still, at the village, and I-au Beatty. Among others who we in ISDE were dosiah J. Kellogg, Dante! Su'1.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.