History of Monroe county, New York with illustrations descriptive of its scenery, Palatial residences, Part 83

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

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well, Benjamin Minor, [' .

fork, and Herrington Baker, with his this

sons. David. Jonathan, ant ! During 1806 and the two yours pressure

quite a number of settlers ough the settlements were much le.

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Joseph Fuller, John Fuller. Doar n

216

PLATE LXXII.

RES. OF ALANSON HIGBIE, PENFIELD, MONROE CO., N. Y.

RES. OF JOHN F. FULLER, PENFIELD, MONROE, CO, N. Y.

PLATE LXXIII.

OHAUNOEY WELOHER.

Chauncey Welcher, the subject of this sketch, was born in the town of Webster, then a part of the town of Peufield, August 25, 1821.

His grandfather and father cane from New Jersey at an early day, and settled in the town of Phelps, Ontario county, and were among the earliest pioneers of that town.

Jesse Welcher, the father, came to the town of Penfield in 1820, and soon after purchased of Daniel Penfield fifty-three acres of unimproved land, to which he added froin time to time, and where be died at the age of fifty-five years. A part of this farm is still owned by Perry Welcher. the youngest brother of Chauncey.

Chauncey Welcher was married to Mary Jane Miller, of Phelps, in 1846, and after 9 living four years on a farm near Albion, Or- leans county, purchased the farm upon which he now resides at Penfield Centre. A view nf his residence is given herewith

Mr. Welcher has been one of the most enterprising farmers in the county, and has by industry and energy succeeded in placing himself in wery thriving circum- stances. He has two children. Ilis son. Ora E. Welcher, resides upon a farm in the town of Penfield. and by his integrity and industry bida fair to follow the example set him by his father.

His daughter, Della Welcher, is the wife of Dr. C. H. Green, of Fairport, New York.

CHAUNCEY WELCHER.

RES. OF CHAUNCEY WELCHER, PENFIELD, MONROE CO . N. Y.

217

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, NEW YORK.

Peter Marlett, Mr. Monroe, and Mr. Southwick settled previous to that year. and some of thetu. no doubt, beture 1804. In 1-06, John Shoreraft, from Saratoga county, settled in the north part of the present town of Penfield with his four sons, William, James, John, aud Peter; also Wm. Harris. still living at the age of eighty-three. Among others who came about this time. or soon after, the must prominent were John Stroger, who settled near the mill ; Jacob Perrin. who afterwards bought and named Perrinton township; Elijah Case, minister ; Abner Coles, Samuel Rich, Mr. Brunson, who must have come before 1800; William Mckinstry, at Penfield village; Brook, Mason. Solomon Case. Alexander Case. Seth Crowell, Ebenezer Peet, one-half mile north of John flipp; Nathaniel Case, Alpheus Clark, Que mile northwest of the village : Gerdin Lewis, northeast : C. Prentice, one Tuttle, Mr. Am>den, and others. A family by the name of Fiske settled in the town very early .- certainly before 1505,-but the date is unknown. Dr. Daniel Armes. Jarob B. Bryant. Dr. Dake. all at the village ; Henry Faller, Oliver Kingsbury, Jabez Mathews, from Sheffield. Massachusetts. and Josephi Hatch, made settlements about the same time or soon after. In 1810. Daniel Peufeld settled and built in what was long known as Penfield's hollow, west of the village, on Irondequoit ereck. In 1807, Benjamin Weeks settled with his family about two miles northeast of the village, on the farm now owned by his son, A. Weeks. Ifis fiunily has been among the most active and prominent in the settlement and development of the town.

REMINISCENCE OF A. WEEKS.

" Benjamin Weeks was born in Washington county, New York, June 1. 1771. At seven years of age his father removed to Wyoming, Pennsylvania. Soun after the place was invaded and the people massacred by the Indians, at which time his father and two brothers were killed. His grandfather, being on friemily terms with the Indians, was allowed by the chief to select a cart and a yoke of oxen from the immense herd of cattle wbich they had driven in from the surrounding country, and load up his grandchildren. with what effects he conid carry. and leave the country He took them to Danbury, Connecticut, driving for more than two tuiles through two files of savages, fresh from the slaughter of his neighbors. In Connecticut he learned the tanner's and currier's trade. and in 1704 married. In the spring of 1796, with four other families, he started for the Genesce country. At Troy they loaded their goods on boats, came up the Mohawk. and. carrying their boats and freiglit around the falls of that river. wound their way into Lake Ontario. up which they made their way by day, camping on shore at night. ontil they finally landed at Braddock's bay, where they settled !. They bought a farm. cleared a portiou of it, and put iu some seed : but the ague was so severe there were not well ones enough to take care of the sick. They were finally obliged to leave, and moved up to Hanford's Landing, where Mr. Weeks lost part of his family. In 1802 be removed to what has since been called the " Old Lauding." on Irondequoit ervek. three miles above the bay, in the present town of Brighton. where Tryon & Adams had erected a large storehouse five stories high. and where a considerable commerce was carried on with Canada. IIcre he kept one of the first public- houses west of Canandaigua and north of Bloomfield for a short time. and then moved to what is now the town of l'ittsford. at that time called " Stone's towo." Here he erected a tannery, which he managed until 1807, when he sold out to Stephen Lusk, and, moving up into Penbeld, purchased a farm of wild land on Int No. -. This he cleared up and improved. suffering all the hard-hips and privations incident to pioncer life, and raising a family of sever children .- five sons and two daughters,-all of whom reached the age of miatu ity, and soule to a good old age. Two only survive this centennial year of 1876."

In 1811 or 1812, Henry Fellows, from Shetheld, Massachusetts. settled on the farm now owned by his son, Henry Fellows. Jr., one-fourth mile east of Pentield village. He purchased it of Jacob Perrin, who thereafter, with his brother Glover, bought ond settled on the township, to which he gave the nnoe of Perrinton. Mr. Fellows became one of the most prominent men of the town He was son "f General John Fellows, of the war of the Revolution, and was several years supervisor, and thirty-five years justice of the peace. Among other emigrants were Caleb Lyon, Esq .. Daniel Durfre. three miles east : Charles P. More, J. Keyes, in the Hollow ; Oliver Reynolds. Henry Brodock, near the village ; a Mr. Weaver, Kilmer, S. Kichler, Gilson. Winslow Heth. at East P'entiell ; Thomas Bilsby, Thomas Blair and brothers. From this the settlement of the town was rapid. Churches were organized and flourishing. good schools well supplied, and the gradual improvement of the wild lands was fast changing the sickly con- dition of the country to one of universal good health.

HOUSES, MILLS, DISTILLERIES, ETC.

The first house erected in the town by permanent settler, was. no doubt, the log dwelling of Caleb Hopkins, which was built in 1791. Miserable buts had been thrown up temporarily, hardly fit for human habitation, long previous. by

trappers along the ereck and bay, which were woon obliterated after being abin- doned. The first land was also cleared, and the first grain suwed, by Mr Hup- Lins. The first frame house was built by Brooks M.wson, co what is cane i che five-mile line. about four miles north of the village. It is recorded that a child of Mrs. Fiske was the first white child born in town ; but it is impossible. It wa+ probably the first among regular settlers, while the trappers and hanters had large and rapidly increasing families. The satue may he said in regard to the first deaths. Benj Stillwell, who died in 1804, has been recorded as the first death. An old burying-ground once existed where the Presbyterian church now stands in the village, and where the first school-house strand surrounded with graves. In 1809, when the present grave-yard east of the village was established. all that were known or could be identified were taken up from the old and removed tu the new one. About sixty bodies were unknown at that early date. which were gathered together, and now lie buried beneath the church edifice. This furt in- dicates many deaths previous to Mr. Stillwell. The first physician was Dr. Dake, at the village, who died in 1809, and was the first corpse interred in the new grave-yard. Dr. Daniel Arines practiced about the same time, aud Dr. Daniel Durfee soon after. Dr. Chichester succeeded in 1815. The first school was taught in 1804 by Joseph Hatch, in the old school-house at the village, and Mr. Hill soon after, three miles north. The first church organized was the Baptist, in 1804, aud the first preacher, Rev. Elijah Case, the same year. The first store in the town was located about twenty-five rods west of the Corner, in the village, on the south side of the road, and was opened by Wm. Mckinstry. He purchased his goods of Oliver Kingsbury, who had brought them and contemplated opening a store. It became immediately " MeKin-try & Bryant." Daniel Penfiehl opened the second store, nearly opposite, and Jacob B. Bryant the third, on the north corner, one-half mile east of the village. Richard A. Ely opened another store on the south side at the same corners in 1814. Other stores and Grms were opened and carried on from time to time, both at the village and in the Hollow Gilson & Penfield for several years conducted quite an extensive trade and ship. ping business. In 1820 they loaded several bateau flat-boats, in the Irondequoit creek, with flour, three hundred barrels on each, and shipped them to the Mon- treal market. Thos. Blair & Bro., as early as 1816. kept store nearly opposite Mckinstry's. A forge and trip-hammer was established in the Hollow, and in this town. as early as 1800, when " Tryon's Town" across the creek was the most promising, by a Mr. Brouson. It long since passed out of existence. The first tavern in this town, as near as can he ascertained, was opened in 1806 hy Daniel Stillwell. Very near, if not at, the same time, C. Prentice kept a tavern where Frank Clark now lives; soon after, Harry Am-deu, and also one Tuttle. a little east of the corners in the village, on the south side of the road. The second tavern was erceted on the northeast corner, now varant, which was kept hy different parties,-John Mathews, from Sheffield, Massachusetts; Christopher Brazee. aml finally Isaac Raymond, in 1832. Jonarban Baker kept one half-mile east. at the four corners, and Samuel HI. Seovill in 1421 at the village ; also Peter Shoreraft. Winslow Hetb opened and kept the first tavern at East Penfield, and was sue- ceeded by James Lovett, from whom the place was known as Lovett's Corners, who came there about 1827 or 1828. ( The first distillery on record was a small concern, built in 1810, by Win. Mckinstry. west of the village, and John Hipp. the second, on his own place. ) The third, which was the first large onr. W.ws erected by Daniel Penfield in what was then called Penfield Hollow, near the site of the paper-mill now standing, in the year 1812. In 1$14 or 1815, Alpheus Clark erected a distillery about three-fourths of a mile northwest of Mr. Hipp + residence, and soon after Josiah J. Kellogg another small one near Penfield Cen- tre; also Ebenezer Peet, one-half mile worth of Mr. Hipp. About 1835 the last distillery was erected and run by Henry Fellows, on his place cast of the village. f The first saw-mill was built by John Hipp, on his farm, about one hundred rod- below his residence, on a hrauch of the Irondequoit. It was a small affair. put up in 1805.) Iu 1806, Daniel Penfield built the first large saw-mill in the Hvilow. and also a grist-mill, the first in this part of the country. The irons and gearings of the saw mill were all brought by team from Albany. In 1815. Nathaniel I've built a grist-mill on the Irondequoit, which he conducted nearly thirty years, and about 1825, Nelson Fullam, west of Hipp's saw-mill. and on the same stream. In 1836. James K. Livingston erected a large sri-t-mill, at a cost of forty thousand dollars, on the Irondequoit creek, which did a large merchant business Between 1804 and 1806 J. J. Kellogg and Captain Benj. Minor erected a fulling- and cardiug-will near the same place, and in 1516 a cloth fartory was built by l'en- field and others, which was subsequently destroyed by fire. The first tannery in the town of Penfield appears to have been riveted on the farm of Heary Fellow -. east of the village, in 1812; though long before this one had been built over the creek in Brighton, and one in Pitt-ford near hy. Henry Brodock, frimm Ftea. built it, and was succeeded by Mr. Weaver. In 1820, Wm. Fellows and J. Keyes boilt one in the Hollow, and about twelve years later Damel E. Lewis another in

218

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, NEW YORK.

Penfield village. A large ashery was erected at a very early date at the same place by Daniel Penfield, which he conducted many years.

Penfield village is a small placo of abont four hundred inhabitants, located near the south west coroer of the town. It now coutains, including the territory down to the creek, one tavern, four grocery stores, four of dry gouds, three shoe-stores, ooe hardware, two blacksmith-shops, oue carriage and wagon ship, une grist-mall. one saw-mill, one paper-mill, one furnace. one meat-market, two cooper-shops, one cider-mill, twu doctors, one lawyer, tour churches, and three ministers. This and along the banks of the Irondequoit creek were the first parts of the town settled. Long before there was any promise of permanent growth ut Rochester an exten- sive business, for this new country, was conducted here, and a continuous commerce with the ports of Canida, Ogdensburg, and other puinto kept op. Considerable capital was employed by prominent business men towards establish- ing a place of importauce, which was regarded as assured. The manufactory and forge were in full activity, trade and enterprise brisk, and the merchant fleet swarmed in the bay and creek, in the dawn of this century, where now the peace and quiet of rural life alone remain. First, the mouth of the Genesee river afforded better facilities for commerce and exchange, and gradually absorbed the Life and energies of Irondequoit; and, secondly, the immense capacities in water- power then dormant at the Genesce falls began to attract the thought and con- aideration of shrewd men, whose forecast aod judgment anticipated a vast manu- facturing centre, which sprang into existence to the ruin of both. Several business houses, taverns, and manufactories were in operation at the same time, within a circuit of one mile of Penfield village. Among the different firms once operating here were Mckinstry & Adams, Gilson & Penfield, Rich & Ward. Peafield & Clark, Bryant & Ely, Orange Owen, S. H. Scovill, Carpenter & Mathewa, Griffin & Rondall, Kilmer & Skidder, Kellogg & Minor, Joseph Vaness. and others. In 1921, Leonard Adams, who afterwards became prominent in his profession, began the practice of law in Penfield. The principal tavern in the village was that of Henry Amsden, which stood on the now vacant place on the northeast corner. It was burned while in his possessivo, and afterwards rebuilt by Robert Staring. A regular daily stage line was established from Paluyra, through Peufield, to Rochester. It changed horses iu this village at the tavern then kept by Jonathan Baker. A post-office was located here previous to the war of 1812, with the mail carried on horseback to and from Pittsford for over twenty-five yeary. Oliver Kingsbury was the first postmaster, and was succeeded by Jacob B. Bryant, who retained it about thirty years, with Henry Fellows as deputy. Between 1840 and 1845 the post-office at East Penfield was established, of which James Lovett was postruaster. Another post-office was located at Pen- field Centre, but was soon after discontinued. A daily stage line is still kept up between Rochester and Penfield village, which carries the mail. The East Pen- field mail is carried from the latter point by private contribution. About ten years ago a paper-mill was established in the hollow west of the village by Hoyo- boom & Co., which, about four years after, came into possession of John Wiu- neger, wbo still conducts it. The old school-house which stood on the site of the Presbyterian church building was the first one in town, and was memorable as the place of the first town election and the first religious meetings and church organizations. In 1827 the citizens erected an academy near the site of Dr. Burrows' residence, which became a fluuri-bing school. In 1850 or 1851 it was burned to the ground, and rebuilt in 1838. It flourished until a few years ago, when it was discontinued, and the building used for the district school. It usually employed three teachers, and prominent among its principals were Prof. Under- hill, Prof. Howe, and Prof. Henry Pennyman. There are now within the limits of the town twelve school districts, and as many good, comfortable school-houses. with flourishing schools, in charge of able and efficient teachers.

MISCELLANEOUS.

No town in this part of the State met with greater obstacles or more discour- agements in its early settlement than l'enfield. Much of it being rather low and level, especially in wet and warm seasons, generated malaria, and fever and ague became bo general that a greater part of the settlers were its victims. This is what disgusted James Wadsworth upon a careful observation of the country, and drove away many of the first settlers before any efort was made towards improve- ments. Even in the early schonds the daily exercises were varied with periodical at- tacks of this moet persistent disease, while the teacher himself recognized its impor- tance in affording change in his usually monotonous life. The settlers depended mainly upon the shipping fwilities offered by Troudequoit bay and Like Ontario, with the local distilleries, then quite namseruus, for markets for their farm produce. while a few hauled their grain long distaners over had ruads to the enstern markets. Henry Fellows carried his wheat with ux-trans to Albany, where it always mot- wanded a l'air price, and on his return generally seenred a load of salt at Syracuse, which afforded him a fair profit on his time ami labor. During the war of 1812

a few took advantage of' the extra price paid for provisions, and made shipments to the American army, stationed in the vicinity of Niagara ; but, as the risks werr in keeping with the profits, a great majority were too cautious to embark in se precarious a speculation. In 1>22. when the Erie canal was opened between Albany and Rochester, a new impetus was given to the settlement and develop- ment of this town, and for the first time the farmer begun to receive a profitable reward for his lahor. The forest was rapidly cleared away, the area of production increased, a new value given to the lands, and incre ased agricultural wealth bezsn to manifest itself, while a condition of perfect health succeeded thorough caltare and drainage.

SUPERVISORS AND PRESENT OFFICERS.

The supervisors of the town of Pentield from its organization to the present. excepting the intervals between the years 1817 and 1892, and between 1923 and 1828, the records of which are lost, are as follows. viz. : William Mckinstry. 1811 ; William Spears, 1812 to 1816, both inclusive; Henry Fellows, 1817 and 1822 to 1823; Byron Woodhull, 1828 to 1830; Alphens Crocker. 1831 to 1:32: Byron Woodhull, 1833 to 1835; Alpheus Crocker. 1836 to 1837 ; Byron Wood- hull, 1838 ; Joseph Patterson, 1839; Daniel E. Lewis, 1840 to 1841 ; Ebenezer E. Gage, 1842 ; Isaac T. Raymond, 1843 to 1844; Daoicl E. Lewis, 1845; I. T. Raymond, 1846; Daniel E. Lewis, 1847 to 1851 ; Elias Beach, 1852; James Harris, 1853 ; Alanson Higbee, 1854; James Harris, 1855 to 1856; Albert II. King. 1857 ; Oliver C. Ross, 1858; James Harris, 1839; Daniel C. Fuller. 1860: Fairchild Andrews, 1861 to 1863; James Harris, 1864 to 1865; Orestes Case. 1866; James Harris, 1867 to 1875; and Alanson Higbee, 1876. John D. Scovill has been town clerk ever since 1855, excepting Charles Fellows, 1865 : Robert Staring, 1868 ; and Jacob F. Hardick, 1869.

The other town officers for the year 1876 are as follows, viz. : Justices of the Peace, Jacob B. Brown, Irvin Eldridge, George A. Fellows. Albert Raymond . Overseer of the Poor, Abel G. Northrup; Kowi Commissioner, Eli S. Dayton. Collector, William F. Church ; Game Constable. E. Lamb; Assessors. G. II. Bacon, George W. Clark, Isaac W. Foreman ; Auditors, William Fellows. Jr .. Eli T. Covey, Iliram Achampach ; Constables, James G. Fisk, Johu W. Conklin. William H. Osborne. Moses Brown; Inspectors of Election, First District. II. S. Knapp. S. B. Raymood, Elisha Lamo ; Second District, Richard Spear, William H. Raymond, and one appointed.

THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF PENFIELD

was organized as such. February 7, 1806, at the school-house in Penticid village. with fifteen members, viz. : Elisha Sheldoo, Sarah Sheldon, Saml. Stone. Abra- ham Barnum. Mary Barnum, Thomas Brooks, Esther Brocks. Wm. Spear. Love Spear, Huldah White, Danl. Wilson, Esther Wilson. Josiah J. Kelloge. Rachel Perrin, and John Stroger. Prior to this, in 1804. a church had been organized at this place as a Congregational chureb. which continued in existence until Fel- ruary 7, 1806, when all the members unanimously resolved themselves into the " First Presbyterian church of Pentield." Elisha Sheldon was chosen medenitur. Josiah J. Kellogg and Thomas Brooks deacons, and William Spear clerk. The first bench of raling eldery was appointed in Is14, and consisted of Them- Brooks, Josinh J. Kellogg, Levi Warren, Isaac Barnum, and Gorshon Dunham: and the first board of trustees in 1829, and comprised Samuel Gillson. Jonathan Faseett. Dr. Isaac Chichester. Henry Ward, and Horace Bush. On February it. 1850, under the pastorate of lev. Thomas Bellamy, by a unanimous vore, the church agreed to unite with the Buffalo told school, Presbytery and Constitu- tional General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of the I'nited State- ot America; and on the 13th of February following. in pursuance of this results. it united with it at Alden on presentation of the resolution by Mr. Bellamy, who was united with this presbytery at the time. On May 27, 1853, the Rochester presbytery (new school) met in the church and installed Rev. Allen MeFaitand as pastor, and mut April 8, 1857, under Rev. Mr. Ingersoll, it withdrew from the Buffalo and united with the Rochester presbytery. Was. Fellows was appoint, of delegate to present the resolution. There are no records of pastor previous to 1816, in which year Rev. Asa Carpenter was installed. serving to 1825; Rev. Gerritt Hollenbeck. 1:27 . Eher Childs, 1828; Lommel Brooks. 1829; Elij.d. Buck, 1830; Simeon l'eck, 1831 ; Conrad Ten Eyck, 1832; Muses Ordway. 18:35; Dr. Albert (. Hdl. late of Third Presbyterian church. Rochester. 1810. Edmond Ray. 1812 ; Geo. Delevan. 1> 13; Ralph Crampton. 1845; John 11 Young. 1819; Thomas Bellamy, 1833; Allen MeFartund. 1:57 ; Alvan Inger- well. 1858; Royal Mann, 1-60; Jeremiah Woodruff, INit ; Rev. Mr. Collins 1867 ; C. II. Wheeler, 1:55; Rev. Mr. Sherwood. temporarily. 1876; and B. Mr. March. Doul. l'enheld donated the best on the southwest corner ta the vil lazy for the church edifice, the deed of which bears date April 7, 1828. although the building was completed and dedicated in 1925. It is a fine brick structure capable of eating about four hundred persons, and is tested on an aid burying-

PLATE LXXIV.

RES. & PROPERTY OF PETER HARRIS, PENFIELD, MONROE CO., N. Y.

CIDER MILL

RES. OF GEORGE W. PARMENTER, PENFIELD, MONROE CO., N Y.

PLATE LXXV.

A. WEEKS.

MAS A WEEKS

RES. OF A. WEEKS, PENFIELD. MONROE CO. N. Y.

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219

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, NEW YORK.

ground, covering about sixty unknown graves. In 1828 members were dismissed by letter to organize churches in Brighton, Webster, Pittsford, and Henrietta, which reduced its membership to forty-six ; bat in 1830 it was increased to eighty- eight ; in 1831 to one hundred and seven ; after which it decreased, until in 1876 it had coly twenty-nine members. Under the pastorate of Dr. Hall, from 1840 to 1842, the church was the most prosperous, with a membership of one han- dred and sixty, embracing among them some of the leading and distinguished meu of Monroe County. It has no pastor at present, and meetings are discon- tinged. The present elders are Wm, Fellows, Chas. N. Leonard, and Dr. T. A Brown ; Trastees, James Harris, Geo. Leonard, Horace Lewis, and Geo. Ray- mond ; and Clerk, Chas. N. Leonard. A Sabbath-school was early organized in connection with the church, which ia 1830 included one hundred and thirty-two pupils and eighteen teachers, and in 1839 one hundred and twenty-one pupils and twenty-four teachers. After this it diminished in numbers, antil in 1868 it comprised sixty-one pupils. The school is also discontinued at present.

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History of Monroe county, New York with illustrations descriptive of its scenery, Palatial residences, Part 83

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