History of Oneida County, New York, 1667-1878, Part 105

Author:
Publication date: 1878
Publisher: Philadelphia, Everts & Fariss
Number of Pages: 932

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and printing houses, 17 physicians, 3 photograph-galleries, 2 piano and organ dealers, 3 dealers in pictures and frames, 2 planing-mills, 3 plumbing and gas-fitting establishments, 1 pork-packing house, 1 pump-factory, 12 restaurants, 18 saloons, 1 saw-mill, 1 shirt-manufactory, 1 silver-plating establishment, 3 soap and candle manufactories, 1 soda- water manufactory, 1 steel-works (not now in operation ), 5 stove and tinware dealers, 1 tailor, 1 tannery, 1 taxider- mist, 2 telegraph companies, 1 tin-shop, 1 variety-store, 7 watch and jewelry establishments, 1 window-shade dealer, 1 wine-room.

The business blocks of Rome are as fine as any which can be found in a city of its size in the State, and the estab- lishments are compactly situated in the heart of the city.

NEWSPAPERS.

The Columbian Patriotic Gazette .- In the building on Dominick Street, formerly known as the McGraw house, was commeneed in 1799 the publication of the first news- paper in Rome, bearing the above title. Its proprietors were Thomas Walker and Ebenezer Eaton, young men about twenty-two years of age, the former from Woreester, Mass., and the latter from Vermont. They brought their printing material with them, procured a " Ramage" press made in Rome, and issued the first number of their paper (weekly) Aug. 17, 1799. The paper was printed for a short time in 1800 in the chamber of the main buik- ing of the "Rome Coffee-House," and was subsequently moved to a building which occupied a portion of the pres- ent site of the "American" Block, where its publication was continued while it remained in Rome. Early in 1800, Mr. Eaton removed to Aurora, Cayuga Co., where he pub- lished a paper for a short time, and afterwards returned to Vermont and published for many years a paper called the North Star. He was a brother of the celebrated General Eaton, who served under General Anthony Wayne, and who afterwards went to Africa and espoused the cause of Hamet, the dethroned Bashaw of Tripoli. In 1804 he commanded the American forces in the war with Tripoli.

After Mr. Eaton left the paper, Mr. Walker continued sole proprietor, and in 1800 removed it to the "Rome Coffee-House," as mentioned. Its subsequent location on James Street was the same in which the Rome Republican was published later. In 1804, Mr. Walker removed with his paper to Utica, that place having received a start con- sequent upon the building of the Seneca Turnpike, and there continued its publication under the name of the Columbian Gazette. He became a prominent and influential citizen of Utica, and was for twenty years or more president of the old " Bank of Utica."

Oneida Observer .- In a building erected about 1812-14, near the corner of Dominick and Washington Streets, and on the north side of the former, for a harness-shop, by a Mr. Sweatman, the above paper was published in 1818 by E. Dorchester, who removed here from Utica, where he was publishing the Utica Observer, to aid the citizens of Rome and Whitestown, through the influence of his paper, in preventing the courts from being held in the then village of Utica. In 1819 he returned with his paper to Utica, gave it the old name, and continued its publication at that place.

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HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

The Rome Sentinel .- In February, 1825, the publiea- tion of a paper ealled the Rome Republican was begun on the west side of James Street, in a building which occu- pied a portion of the site of the "American Block," by Lorin Dewey. It was removed the same year to the " Mer- rill Block," on the opposite (east ) side of the street, and its management was changed in May of that year into the hands of Chauncey Beach. In June, 1828, The Republi- can was established by J. P. Van Siee, and subsequently changed to the Oneida Republican. In 1830 this paper and the Rome Republican were united. E. Moon became proprietor in 1831, and changed the name to the Rome Telegraph. James N. Harris, John Boyd, H. A. Foster, and others were successively interested in its publication. In 1838, R. Waldby became proprietor, and changed its name to the Democratic Sentinel, with Calvert Comstoek as editor. In 1840, L. D. Dana became editor ; and in 1845, H. F. Utley and S. W. Morton beeanie proprietors, and changed the name to the Rome Sentinel. In September, 1846, Morton sold his share to A. G. Rowley, and in 1847 Utley sold to A. G. Rowley & Co .; E. Comstock became editor. In 1850, Rowley beeanie sole proprietor, and in January, 1852, sold out to Elon Comstock. In July, 1861, Wood & Larwill beeame proprietors, and continued its pub- lieation until December, 1863, when the firm of Warren & Beers became publishers. Mr. Warren was formerly an employee in the Observer office at Utiea, and Mr. Beers learned the trade in the Citizen office at Rome. In June, 1864, the paper passed into the hands of its present pro- prietors, Franklin D. Beers and Augustus C. Kessinger, and has sinee been published by them. Mr. Kessinger began work in the Sentinel office March 17, 1856, learned his trade in it, and worked his way to his present position. The paper is published weekly ; is Democratie politieally, and has a large circulation. The Rome Daily Sentinel was commeneed by C. & E. Comstock, in connection with the Rome Sentinel, in July, 1852. In October, 1854, D. E. Wager and D. C. Rowley purchased a half-interest, and in April, 1855, the remainder of the establishment. The daily was continued until 1860, when it was suspended.

The Roman Citizen .- In July, 1835, a paper was established at Vernon, called the Vernon Courier. In 1840 it was removed to Rome, and its name changed to the Roman Citizen, C. B. Gay editor, and H. N. Bill proprietor. J. K. Kenyon, J. P. Fitch, Alfred Sandford, George Seott, G. H. Lynch, A. D. Griswold, and A. C. Sandford were successively interested in its publication. In October, 1854, A. Sandford became sole proprietor. In 1855 the office was burned, but Mr. Sanford soon after resumed publieation. Iu 1866, E. E. Carr purchased an interest in the paper, and it has sinee been eondueted by the firm of Sandford & Carr. It is issued weekly, is Republican in polities, and has a wide eireulation.

The Parlor Journal and Literary News Letter, of Central New York (monthly), was published at Rome, by Graham & Co., in 1843.

The Primitive Christian (semi-monthly) was published at Rome in 1845, by Rev. H. Matteson.

The Empire State Health Journal was commenced at Rome in 1851.

Y Arweinydd (semi-monthly, Welsh) was commenced at Rome in January, 1858, by R. R. Meredith, editor, and Thomas T. Evans, assistant editor. It was discontinued in 1860.

SCHOOLS.

The earliest schools in the town of Rome, outside of the village, were in the neighborhoood of the Wright settlement. A log school-house was erected on the farm of Joseph Otis previous to 1800, and was the first one in that locality. It was subsequently destroyed by fire. About 1816-17 a school-house was built in its place, on the corner of " Penny Street" and the road leading east past the present Canterbury Hill school-house, and Miss Achsah Raynsford, afterwards the wife of Josiah Hills, and mother of William H. Hills, of Rome, was the teacher.

The first public-school building in the village of Rome was erected some time previous to 1800. It stood on the southeast corner of the west park, on James Street, and was a high, square building, with a " hip roof." The early courts, from 1798 to 1806, were held in it. It was used for educational purposes until 1819, when it was removed, and a frame school building ereeted on the site of the present Zion Church. This house was, a number of years later, destroyed by fire, and the building on Liberty Street ereeted in its stead.

About 1800, a one and a half story frame school build- ing was erected on the east side of James Street, a short distanee north of Dominick, and was known as the " Hun- tington school-house." The chimney was in the centre of the room, and the writing-desks were placed against the walls, so that the pupils faeed the walls when writing.

Some years previous to 1820, Oliver Grosvenor started a private school in the upper part of the building on Dom- inick Street occupied by A. & A. B. Blair as a drug-store. At first he had but four or five pupils, but his school be- came very popular and the attendance largely increased. He kept it in the " Huntington sehool-house," from about 1818 to about 1832, when he removed it to Liberty Street. Mr. Grosvenor was a fine Latin scholar and an excellent instructor, and fitted many young men for college. Owing to continued ill health he was obliged to desist from the labor of teaching in 1835. Among those who were at- tendants at his school and afterwards arose to distinction the following may be mentioned, viz .: J. D. Caton, U. S. Judge, Illinois ; Anson S. Miller, U. S. Judge, Illinois ; Oliver P. Hubbard, Professor in Dartmouth College; Rev. Thomas Brainard, the celebrated Philadelphia divine ; D. D. Whedon, editor of the Methodist Quarterly Review; and Benjamin Hubbard, a distinguished physician, and later in the Department of the Interior, at Washington, D. C.

About the year 1812, a school was taught in the build- ing on Dominiek Street known as the "Long house," by Abby Bullock. This school was attended by some who are now among the oldest residents of Rome. The building was finally destroyed by fire.

The Rome Academy was incorporated April 28, 1835, and re-incorporated by the Board of Regents, March 15, 1849. The present substantial three-story structure, stand- ing on the northwest corner of James and Court Streets, was built by subseription in 1848. One of the early prin-

395

HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

cipals of the academy, after its re-incorporation, was Rev. S R. Brown, formerly missionary to China. The acad- emy flourished for many years, and was finally converted into an academie department of a system of union free schools in the city, which was known as school district No. 5, under the town organization. The following extracts are from the report of the Board of Education for the city of Rome for 1877 :

" No records of the schools previous to 1850 are found, and those of a later date are not of such a character as would enable one to pre- pare a full history of their progress without the aid of concurrent memory. . ..

" In 1850, the Liberty Street building was erected under the super- vision of R. G. Savery, E. Comstock, and E. Seymour as trustecs. Little change has since been effected in its outward appearance. For many years cach of the three floors was occupied by a department, the boys and girls being seated in different rooms.

" In the winter of 1851 and 1852, an attempt was made by the trustees so to classify the school as to scat both boys and girls in the same apartment. This action met with decided disapproval from a large number of the patrons. A special meeting of the district was held Feb. 14, 1852, at which the following resolution was offered, viz. :

"' Resolred, That the classification of this school by the late trus- tees, in placing the males and females in the same department, was inexpedient for this school.'

" Free discussion and criticism were in lulged in, but the trustees having previously resigned, the resolution was finally withdrawn. Three new trustees were at once elected to the vacancies, who speedily restored the school to its previous condition, and for many years the distinction of sex was rigidly observed.

" In the following year (1853?) an appropriation of $300 was made to improve the building in Canal Village, which was then in a dilapi- dated condition, and, with slight repairs, so continued until the present substantial structure was erected, at the corner of James and Ridge Streets, in 1868. This was the outgrowth of the pressing necessities of a rapidly-increasing population in that part of the village, and of a public sentiment which had first found expression at an annual school-meeting of the district in 1858, ten years previous.

"No marked change is again noticed until the winter of 1860 and 1861. The sentiment in favor of free schools had then become so general, and their necessity so apparent, that a large number of citi- zens advocated the abolition of the rate-bill system, and the imme- diate establishment of free schools, with an academic department for the entire village, to be generously supported by public tax. Promi- nent among those who were actively interested in this movement were Edward Huntington, A. Sanford, H. O. Southworth, B. J. Beach, A. II. Bailey, D. E. Wager, K. Carroll, and Samuel Wardwell.

" At the annual school-meeting of the district, in 1861, n system of free schools was warmly advocated by parties above named, and many others. A committee was appointed to perfect a plan for the proposedl change, to be presented for approval at an adjourned meeting. Meet- ings were adjourned from time to time until Dee. 17, 1861, when a series of resolutions was offere.l, an 1 the draft of the proposed net of the Legislature presented, by Mr. Southworth, looking to the imme- diate establishment of free schools. The opposition was strong in the belief that school expenditures would be largely increased under the provisions of the proposed law, and, after much filibustering, finally succeeded in adjourning the meeting for one month. No further record was made showing any action whatever in the same direction, the adjourned meeting having been seemingly abandoned. In fact, no record exists from Oct. 15, 1867, until the 24th day of June, 1869. Then a demand for a change in the system of public schools in the village found expression in a 'Citizens' Call' for a public meeting at the court-house, to consider the ' expediency of establishing a union free school, with an academical department, within the limits of Dis- triet No. 5, of the town of Rome.' This was signed by forty-four of the leading citizens and the trustees. 'A Inrge and enthusiastic meeting convened at the time appointed, and free expressions of opinion were solicited. To further the interests of the proposed change, aud seenre a larger attendance of the friends of the measure, the meeting was adjourned, on motion of E. L. Stevens, to meet at the court-honse, July 3, 1869, at seven and a half o'clock P.M. The friends of free schools rallied in such numbers at the adjourned

meeting that, immediately upon the reading and correction of the minutes of the previous meeting, the following resolution, offered by Mr. K. Carroll, was adopted by the decisive vote of 310 to 19, viz. :

"' Resolved, That a union free school be established within the bonnds of School District No. 5, in the town of Rome, pursuant to the provisions of chapter 555 of the laws of 1864, and the amend- ments thereto.'"

The following gentlemen were then elected trustees, to act as a board of education for the district, viz. : Stephen Van Dresar, John Reifert, Zaccheus Hill, Edward Huntington, R. E. Sutton, and HI. O. South- worth. The following resolution was then adopted :

"' Resolved, That the Board of Education of this union free school district be and they are hereby authorized to adopt the academy, located in said district, as the academical department of said district, with the consent of the trustees of said academy, pursuant to section 24 of title 9, chapter 555 of the laws of 1864.' On the 16th day of July, 1869, the following resolution was passed by the Board of Trus- tecs of Rome Academy, viz. : 'Resolved, That we consent that the Board of Education of Union Free School District No. 5, in the town of Rome, may adopt the academy as the academical department of said school district.'

" In conformity to this resolution, and on the same day, the acad- emy property, consisting of a building aud lot on James Street, philo- sophical and chemical apparatus, cabinet and library, was transferred to the Board of Education by a quit-claim deed executed by the fol- lowing gentlemen, acting as a board of trustees, viz. : Samuel Ward- well, J. M. Sturdevant, HI. O. Southworth, A. HI. Brainerd, Henry M. Lawton, S. B. Roberts, C. W. Elmer, HI. D. Spencer, R. E. Sutton, R. T. Walker, and George Merrill.

" The academy lot was originally the gift of Dominick Lynch in the interest of education, to be forever occupied by a building devoted to that purpose.

"July 17, 1869, the Board of Education, having been duly organ- ized, July 9, 1869, by the election of S. Van Dresar, president, and R. E. Sutton, clerk, adopted the following resolution, viz. : ' Resolved, That the Rome Academy be and the same is hereby adopted as the academic department of this Union Free School District, a nnion school having been duly established under the provisions of title 9 of chapter 555, of the laws of 1864.' Thus virtually ended the strug- gle in behalf of free schools. The old rate-bill was abolished, and the schools were opened in the fall of 1869 upon the broad and cath- olie basis of free education to all.

"The academy opened with an enrollment of 97 pupils in 1869, which has rapidly increased to more than 200 in 1877, with advan- tages for a still larger number. From this point there has been steady and rapid growth in the various directions which indicate prosperity.

"In 1870 the Liberty Street school building was thoroughly re- paired, and in September of that year the first and second floors were occupied for school purposes, the third floor having been abandoned as dangerous in case of fire or accident. In January, 1871, the Thomas Street building was first occupied, having been erected and furnished during the previous year. In 1872, to seenre increased facilities, at moderate expense, the academy was thoroughly repaired, and the seating capacity in reased to accommodate 200 pupils. In the fall of the same year the schools were reorganized. The advanced pupils of the Liberty Street school were transferred to the neademy, and relief

was thus afforded to the crowded condition of the lower departments. In 1874 the Vogt property, on the east side of Sonth James Street, was purchased, the inside of the building remodeled, and put in thorough repair for school purposes. In September, 1874, the build- ing was first occupied by 2 teachers and 122 pupils. In Jannary, 1875, the new building on Third Street, in East Rome, was opened, and the old one on Dominick Street passed into the hands of the common council for fire department purposes. In 1876 the West Rome building was repaired and improved, and new seats were added for the accommodation of 80 pupils."

During the present season (1878) a new brick school building has been erected at the corner of Thomas and Jay Streets, at a cost of about $8000. It is two stories iu height, and fitted for two departments, primary and inter- mediate. The total value of the school property in the Union Free School District is about $90,000.

The departments are : Primary, requiring four years to

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HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

complete ; intermediate, three years; preparatory, three years ; and academic,-the latter having three courses, viz., English, three years, modern classical, three years, and clas- sical, three years.

The cabinet belonging to the academy contains about 1100 specimens, and is very fine; value, $500. The library has an extensive circulation, and is valued at $1200. The total value of the academy property is $24,000. Up to the 1st of January, 1877, its graduates since 1869 num- bered 76. The enrollment for the year 1876, in the various schools, was as follows, viz. :

Boys.

Girls.

Total.

Academy

103

I80

Liberty Street School

365

355

720

Thomas Street School.

202

181

383

James Street School.

234

198

432

East Rome School.

103

197

West Rome School

South James Street School

120

Grand Total

2103

The Board of Education for the years 1875, 1876, and 1877 consisted of the following persons, viz. : James Aikin, John Reifert, term expired October, 1877 ; G. H. Lynch ; J. Graves, term expires October, 1878; B. W. Williams ; E. L. Stevens, term expires October, 1879. Officers of the Board : President, B. W. Williams ; Clerk, John Reifert ; Superintendent, O. C. Harrington.

RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES.

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHI .*

This church has for its corporate title "The First Re- ligious Society of Rome."

In the first book of records we find the following coven- ant was adopted :

" Humbly sensible we are not our own, but the Lord's, who hath made, preserved and redeemed us, we do in a serious and solemn manner, before angels and men, present our bodies a living sacrifice unto God, and give ourselves wholly to him with purpose of heart, and to glorify him by religiously observing all things whatsoever he hath commanded us. We do also take the Lord Jehovah for our Lord and all sufficient portion ; Christ we take for our Prince and Saviour ; the Divine Spirit for our Sanctifier; and the word of God, contained in the Bible, we take for our rule in faith and practice. We do also give ourselves to one another, and covenant to watch over one another, and submit one to another, according to the laws of Christ's visible kingdom, and as becometh members of a Christian church. We also promise to attend the public worship of God, and the ordinances of the gospel together, while God in his providence shall give us an opportu- nity therefor. We do also give our respective households to God, and will use our best endeavors that they shall be brought up in the nur- ture and admonition of the Lord.

"In testimony of our cordial assent to the preceding articles of faith, and of our solemn covenanting with God and one another, we have hereunto subscribed our names.

" ROME, Sept. 25, 1800.

(Signed) " EBENEZER WRIGHT, " GRACE WRIGHT, " JOSHUA HATHAWAY, " DANIEL W. KNIGHT."

On the succeeding Sabbath, Sept. 28, 1800, the society was organized, according to the usages of the Congregational Church, by the Rev. Simon Waterman, of Plymouth, Conn., and the following-named persons, fourteen in number, signi-

fied their assent to the covenant, and constituted the original membership, viz., Ebenezer Wright, and his wife Grace Wright; Matthew Brown, and his wife Molly Brown ; Joshua Hathaway, and his wife Elizabeth Hathaway ; Solomon Rich, and his wife Mrs. Solomon Rich (her first name is not in the record) ; Daniel W. Knight, Mrs. Sa- rah Colt, Mrs. Philomela Wright, Mrs. Esther Colbraith, Mrs. Zilpah Gilbert, Mrs. Elizabeth Hays.

This organization occurred at the house of Mr. Ebenezer Wright, in Wright's Settlement, three miles fron Rome. Subsequent meetings were held in Rome, first in a barn, then successively in a ball-room, a store-room, and a school- house, until the year 1807, when the first house of worship was erected.

The church enjoyed the occasional services of Rev. Messrs. Simons, Marcy, Knight, Fish, and Taggart until Oct. 14, 1807, when Rev. Moses Gillett was ordained and installed pastor. Mr. Gillett was converted under the preaching of the celebrated Dr. Edward H. Griffin, pur- sued his classical studies at Yale College, and studied theo- logy under Rev. Asahal Hooker, of Connectieut. At the time of his installation there were 34 members connected with this church. His pastorate continued for the space of 30 years. During this period there were added to the church 807 persons, of which number 709 were admitted by confession of faith. In the year 1826 there was a great revival, attributable, under God, to the faithful preaching of Mr. Gillett and the evangelistic efforts of Rev. Charles G. Finney. It is estimated that 500 persons were converted in connection with the services then held. It appears from the records that 184 united with this church March 12, 1826, of which number 176 were admitted by profession . of faith.

After his resignation Mr. Gillett spent a few years in the western part of the State. In 1843 he returned to Rome, where he died, June 4, 1848, and is buried in the new cemetery.

This church connected with the Oneida Association in the year 1812, but transferred its ecclesiastical relation to the Oneida Presbytery in the year 1819.

After Mr. Gillett's resignation the pulpit was supplied by Rev. Messrs. D. Cary, B. W. Dwight, and E. O. Dun- ning, each officiating for a short period. March 10, 1841, Rev. Selden Haines was installed pastor. During his pas- torate there were received to this church 142 members, 82 of them by examination, and 60 by letter.

A second church was organized January 12, 1831. Rev. Jacob Helffenstein was installed its first pastor, in July, 1831, and resigned in July, 1833. He was succeeded by Rev. Avelyn Sedgwick, who was installed August, 1833, and remained until September, 1836. In May, 1837, Rev. Theodore Spencer commenced his labors with the second church, and continued until September, 1838. He was suc- ceeded by Rev. Herman Norton, who labored until Octo- ber, 1839. Rev. Benjamin H. Campbell was installed pastor March 4, 1840, and resigned his office in February, 1841. In July, 1841, Rev. Charles Jones became pastor, and main- tained this relation until June 22, 1843. He was suc- ceeded by Rev. George S. Boardman, in July, 1843, who continued his labors in this field until June, 1846.

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History of Oneida County, New York, 1667-1878, Part 105

Author: Publication date: 1878 Publisher: Philadelphia, Everts & Fariss Number of Pages: 932

Author:
Publication date: 1878
Publisher: Philadelphia, Everts & Fariss
Number of Pages: 932