History of Oneida County, New York, 1667-1878, Part 109

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

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METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, TABERG.

The old frame church built by this society has been pur- chased by the Catholies, and is now used by them. The fine new brick Methodist Church has been erected within the past four years, and cost about $8000. The present membership of the society is about 200, with Rev. Thomas H. McClenthen as pastor, who also holds services at Glen- more, and at a place two and one-half miles southeast of Taberg, where there is a small class. The Sabbath-school at Taberg is in a flourishing condition, having for its Su- perintendent T. B. Allanson. This society was organized in 1838, with nine members, and the frame church after- wards sold to the Catholics was built in 1839.

Photos. by Hovey & Brainerd.

Harrison Silly bridge

Matilla . Lillybrielle

HARRISON LILLYBRIDGE.

The subject of this sketch is of Seoteh origin, his an- eestors being among the early emigrants to New England, previous to the Revolutionary war. Ira Lillybridge was born in Stafford, Tolland Co., Conn., June 23, 1795, and married Miss Laura Alden, a native of the same place, on the 2d of November, 1819. Mrs. Laura A. Lillybridge was born Dec. 31, 1799. By this union eight children were born. By occupation he was a farmer, and rcared his large and intelligent family to industry and economy. He settled in Annsville in January, 1824, which was his home ever after. His wife died on the 21st of August, 1838, and he married his second wife, Sophrona Merick, a native of Oneida County ; she was born Dee. 16, 1812. As a result of the above union five children were born. Mr. Lillybridge was an estecmed citizen, a kind companion, and an affectionate father. He was a member of the Baptist Church. In politics a Democrat. He held various publie offices, among which may be mentioned that of supervisor of the town of Annsville for three successive terms. After living a good and useful life he passed away on the 8th of April, 1848. Harrison is the son of Ira and Laura Lillybridge, and was born at Stafford, Tolland Co., Conn., Dec. 25, 1821, and removed to Annsville with his parents in January, 1824.

On becoming of age he entered into partnership with his father, and engaged with him as a dealer in lumber, besides carrying on the farm. Some four years after the

death of his father he purchased the " old home," which has been his residence sinec 1824. Mr. Lillybridge is one of the most highly esteemed citizens of the town or eounty. He is the owner of one of the best farms in the town, said farm being in a high state of cultivation.

He is a Republican in politics. He is often importuned to rceeive some town office, but always declines, preferring the quiet of home to any official position. In the fall of 1874 he was elected to the State Legislature, and served one term to the general satisfaction of his constituents. He married Miss Matilda Swartwout, a daughter of Peter and Sally Swartwout, of Otsego Co., N. Y., Sept. 30, 1850. Mrs. M. S. Lillybridge was born in Otsego Co., N. Y., August 7, 1825. By this happy alliance four children were born, namely : Flora M., Ella F., John C., and Fred. H., all of whom are living save Ella F., who married Wm. HI. Wanzer, of Detroit; she had one child ; Mrs. Wanzer died April 26, 1873.

Mr. and Mrs. Lillybridge are prominent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Taberg. Mr. Lillybridge is a very prominent temperanec man, and by word and aetion is doing all he can do to suppress that great evil -intemperance. As a man Mr. Lillybridge has few equals and no superiors ; he is the very soul of honor, and despises anything low or vulgar. He is truly the representative man of Annsville, and richly merits the confidence reposed in him.

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HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

A PRESBYTERIAN SOCIETY

formerly existed at Taberg, but the organization has been discontinued, and the frame church in the upper part of the village is not now in use.

ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCHI, TABERG.

This society has held regular meetings since the summer of 1876. The old Methodist Church building has been purchased, as previously stated, and Rev. P. McNulty, the present pastor, preaches to a congregation of about 45 fami- lies. The society has had a resident priest but a little over a year. Previous to the purchase of a building meetings were held at irregular intervals in the town hall, and Taberg was merely an outside mission. Rev. John Ludden, of Florence, preached here occasionally before the church building was purchased.

BAPTIST CHURCH, TABERG.

The Baptist Church was organized February 17, 1831, with 20 members. The first pastor was Rev. Samuel Bloss. In September, 1831, the society joined the Oneida Baptist Association, and reported 36 members to that body. For ten years it increased in numbers, and then began to deeline ; and in March, 1846, it was disbanded. A reor- ganization was effected January 23, 1847, and in 1848 it reported a membership of 56, with Rev. P. P. Brown for its pastor. The original frame church owned by this or- ganization stood where the parsonage now is, and was built a few years after the society was formed. The present neat frame church stands opposite the site of the old one, and was ereeted about 1863-64. The present membership of this church is about 130; its pastor is Rev. J. R. Sim- mons. Two Sabbath-schools are sustained, one at the church, and the other in the school-house at the " Forks." George Whittemore is Superintendent of the one at Taberg, which has nine teachers. The attendance at the two schools numbers 150 scholars. The church is in the lower part of the village, on the south bank of Fish Creek.

CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.

A branch of the Congregational Church of Camden was formed in Annsville, in 1820, and meetings were held in the two frame school-houses previously mentioned as being the first in the north part of town. This society was organized with fifteen or twenty members ; Rev. Henry Smith, of Camden, preached to them occasionally, and others eame at different times. The organization was kept up for a long term of years, but was finally disbanded, and now lives only in the recollection of the "oldest inhab- itants."

VILLAGE OF GLENMORE.

This place is located northwest of the centre of town, and has a small population, of which the majority is made up of natives of "old Erin." A post-office was established here subsequent to 1852, previous to which time mail was received at Taberg. Alfred Blenis was probably the first postmaster. W. W. Barber also held the office early. The present incumbent is John H. Lackey, who also has the only store the place possesses.

There are also a school-house, a church (Methodist Epis-

copal), a shoe-shop, a blacksmith-shop, a saw-mill, a small frame custom grist-mill, and a number of dwellings. Hiram Thorne built the first saw-mill here.

BLOSSVALE POST-OFFICE

was formerly located at the corners called Pine, in the town of Vienna, and the office was known by that name. It was subsequently moved to Taberg station, on the Rome, Water- town and Ogdensburg Railway, and changed to Blossvale, in honor of the Bloss family, who were early settlers in the locality. John Bloss was the first postmaster ; the present one is M. S. Gray, who is the station agent, and also has a general store.

Below McConnellsville Station is a grist-mill, built in 1854, by David Pike, for a man named Mills. N. B. Foote, of Oswego, is agent for the present owners of the property. The mill does a good custom business. There is a small settlement at this station.

About three miles west of Taberg is " the pond," a sheet of water covering about ten acres, surrounded by high banks, and having no visible inlet nor outlet. The high- lands in the neighborhood form what is known as " Pond Hill," which reaches the greatest elevation of any in the town.

VILLAGE OF TABERG.

This village is named from an iron-mining town in Sweden, and is located on the east branch of Fish Creek, in the south part of town. It was long connected with Rome by a plank-road. Furnace Creek, flowing through the village and discharging its waters into Fish Creek im- mediately below, furnishes power sufficient to run numerous factories, should they be located here. In 1809 the Oneida Iron and Glass Manufacturing Company commenced opera- tions here, and gave the place its name. The first blast was commenced in 1811, and the products of this establish- ment were excellent in quality. During the war of 1812- 15 it is said shot and shell were made by this company for the United States Government. In after-years hollow- ware was for some time extensively manufactured, but the factory was finally used exclusively in the manufacture of pig-iron of a fine quality. It is not now in operation.

The Furnace Creek had upon its banks a number of im- portant establishments at one time, besides others in the village. Among these were two grist- and flouring-mills, twenty-one saw-mills (this in the entire town), twelve shingle-mills, four lath-mills, four turning-lathes, two stave- machines, one wool-carding, cloth-dressing, and manufactur- ing establishment, one blast-furnace, two cupola-furnaces, and two tanneries. The manufacture of iron at the village has ceased, and so little timber remains in the town that but a tithe of the former amount is eut and made ready for market.

The present planing-mill in the upper part of the village was built in 1874, by Wilson & Draper. It includes also a grist-mill and a butter-tub factory. The grist- and planing- mill is operated by John F. Draper, employing four hands, and the butter-tub factory is carried on by Wilson & Doug- las, who employ two hands in addition to their own labor.

The tannery was originally built by Jotham Warden. It was several times destroyed by fire, and the prescut one was

410

HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

and mournful departure of the once powerful and noble red men who roamed these hills and valleys. They were luxuriantly furnished from thestreams and the game that wandered in the forests, where are now our fields and dwellings. They had their village just at our west, on lands once under our jurisdiction. There was their Couneil Rock, Oneida,-the upright or standing stone from which perhaps their name arose. It is still to be seen.t One century sinee, they were greatly distinguished and beloved by their brethren of the wilderness. They gave a home to their brethren, who were wasting away in eonse- quence of devastating wars and contact with eivilized men. On our east, they gave place to the remnant of a few tribes on the Brother- town tract. On our west and northwest were the eight hundred [438] Stoek bridges, and the Tuscaroras had a much wider range and larger extent. But where are these proud and high-minded men of the forest, who possessed the extensive resources of this beautiful and excellent country ? They have. fled before the pale-face, and wasted under the power of rum,-that most mighty foe of the red man.

" In 1794, Peter Smith, who was of Dutch parents, and born in 1768, leased of the Oneida Indians about 60,000 aeres, which, in honor of his first name, he ealled New Petersburgh; Gerrit Smith believed this was for 999 years. Some of our oldest inhabitants sup- pose that it was for 21 years, as this was the time for which he leased it to the first settlers. The southeast corner of Peter Smith's tract was the southwest corner of this town, and it was bounded south by the twenty townships ealled the Governor's Purchase. His traet crossed Madison County and this town. There was a traet some five or six miles square that was called New Stockbridge, which the Oneidas had ceded to the Stockbridge tribe. South of this tract there was a strip of lane leased to Smith, whence the name 'Strip' is derived. There was still another traet, of 1000 aeres, which lay east of Stoek- bridge and west of the four-mile square ( which was a tract comprised in Smith's 60,000 acres, which was granted to John Gregg, Sr., John Gregg, Jr., and James Alexander), called the school lot, the rent of which was appropriated to the education of Indian ehildren. Peter Smith divided his tract into four allotments, the first of which all lay, in Augusta.

" As soon as Peter Smith had obtained his lease, which was opposed by the Pagan party among the Indians, who onee drove the surveyor from the traet, he commenced leasing to those who wished to obtain twenty-one years' leases. Before 1797 most of the lands in Augusta were lease:l. In 1795 and 1797 there were acts passed by the Legis- lature so that all those who had obtained leases of Smith eould have patents from the State. Smith had six lots of land in this town in part or entire pay for this lease. The lands were encumbered with mortgages given to the State for the original purebase-money,-$3.53 per acre .¿

" In 1795 the Oneidas eeded to the State the land north of the east part of this first allotment, which was soon surveyed, and was sold at auction Aug. 28, 1797. There was retained from this reservation a traet a mile square, which came eventually into the hands of the Northern Missionary Society, for which they were to maintain a mis- sionary and teacher among the Indians. Their method of determin- ing where the tract should lie was to stick a stake by the spring, about 60 rods southwest from where now resides John Curry [1847], which was the centre of the lot. The Rev. Mr. Kirkland,? who came to Oneida Castle in 1766, was this missionary more than 40 years, and enjoyed part of the avails of this lot. Ile died at Clinton, March 28, 1808. In 1809 the Northern Missionary Society employed a Mr. Jenkins as missionary among the. Oneidas. We think there was nothing against his moral eharaeter, and still the Indians did not wish him to remain among them, or but very few of them ; and being dis- eouraged, he left. The Indians have since sought more compensation for the land they had disposed of to the society; but the aeting members of the society maintained that they had been ready to fulfill on their part, and as the land was disposed of in good faith they saw no violation of Christian principles in their course. Two hundred and forty acres of this tract were patented to Israel Chapin, and the remainder was patented to the society."

THE SETTLEMENT OF AUGUSTA

was begun in 1793, the first habitation for white people being built that year by a man named Gunn, not far from the place afterwards occupied by Peter Stebbins. The second one was built by Benjamin Warren, on the spot where he resided for many years. David Morton and John. Alden began clearings this year on the south lot, on the. road that passes from north to south through the centre of the town. August 17, of the same year, Ichabod Stafford, and Joseph and Abraham Forbes settled in town with their familics,-in all 23 persons. " Some of them slept in their carts on the first night after they reached the town. The first merchant in Augusta, one Mr. Adams, sold goods in Ichabod Stafford's house in 1798. He afterwards built a store on lot seventeen, but failed before he could complete it.

The year 1794 witnessed the arrival of several additional pioneers; among them were Isaac and Benjamin Allen, Amos Parker, James Cassety (or Casety), Francis O'Toole, Ozias Hart, Abel Prior, Thomas Spafford, Ezra Saxton, Abiel Linsley, and perhaps others. Autos Parker, who had lived two years on the Brothertown tract, had served faithfully and well during the Revolutionary struggle, and the following ancedote is related of him, it having occurred probably at the siege of Yorktown : Gencral Lafayette se- lected 25 men to go with him and reduee a certain trouble- some intrenchment, giving orders not to fire until word was given, under pain of death. They were armed with guns and the necessary implements to remove abatis and palisade work. Mr. Parker was selected to walk next to Lafayette. The way was cleared to the palisades, and the axe was ap- plicd to the timbers composing them, but one, two, and even three stout blows failed to cut them away, and Parker placed his broad shoulder against one of them and drew it- forth, when he removed two more the same way. The small force dashed through the opening towards the intrench- ment, and was met by bristling weapons, threatening instant death to Lafayette and the utter annihilation of his comu- panions. Regardless of orders, Parker threw his gun to his shoulder and shot down one of the enemy, and, rushing upon them with his clubbed gun, soon cleared a way for his comrades, and in a few moments they had won the fray. Parker was afterwards arraigned before a court-martial for disobedience of orders, but it was shown so clearly that his action had saved the life of the commander that he was ac- quitted. Upon the visit of Lafayette to Utiea, nearly fifty years later, Mr. Parker ealled upon him, and, after making. himself known and mentioning the ineident above related, the two old soldiers embraecd with all the fervor of youth. Mr. Parker, who was the tallest man in the American army, stood upon the right of the troops at the surrender of Coru- wallis.

The following sketch of Colonel Cassety, mentioned as having settled in this town iu 1794, is copied from Judge Jones' " Annals of Oncida County." The date of his birth cannot be satisfactorily ascertained :

" He was the son of James Cassety, who was a captain in the British army, and on service in this country in the French war of 1756. After the peace of 1760 the captain went to Detroit and established himself as an Indian trader. Here he continued until the commencement of the

# A portion of the town of Augusta was, after its organization, annexed to Madison County.

+ Now in Forest Hill Cemetery at Utica.

¿ It was many years before this indebtedness was cleared up. ? Rev. Samnel Kirkland.

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HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

war of the Revolution, when he was ordered to take up arms against tho colonies. This he refused to do. In the mean time Thomas was born, had pursued the usual preparatory course, and was now far advanced in his collegiate education. During a vacation he visited his father at De- troit, and while there an officer of the Crown was sent to arrest his father for treason, in refusing to fight the battles of George III. against the colonies. The arrest was made in the presence of the son, which so exasperated him that he seized a loaded musket and fired at the offi- cer. Whether he killed him or not is not known, as the colonel, in after-life, would never throw any light on the subject further than to say that the ball passed through the officer's hat-crown. The captain was taken to Quebee, and for three long years confined so closely that in the whole period the sun never for ouce shone upon him. At length, with two others, he made his escape. Thomas, after firing at the officer, made good his retreat from Detroit, and took refuge with one of the Western tribes of Indians. Here he was received aud treated with kindness ; was formally adopted into their tribe, one of the chiefs of which gave him his danghter for a wife. By her he had issue, and tradition has said-whether truly or falsely-that ' the eele- brated Tecumseh was a son of Thomas Cassety.'

" After a residence of several years with the Indians, and after our independence had been acknowledged by Britain, as he could return in safety, he left the Indians and again took up his abode in civilized life, and was again married. By this marriage he had seven children, two sons and five daughters. The next that is learned of him is that he was residing at Canajoharie.

" The surveyors employod by Peter Smith having been driven off, as before stated, their compass and chain broken to pieces by the Pa- gan party of the Oneidas, Mr. Smith hal recourse to Mr. Cassety, who was residing at that place, to indnee him to come to Oneida and make peaco with the Indians. From his thorough acquaintance with In- dian character he was peculiarly fitted for this missiou, in which he was entirely successful. Mr. Smith, by means of these services, was enabled to realize a considerable fortune.

" In 1794, Mr. Cassety removed to the town of Augusta, and settled at Oriskany Falls,-a location which for many years was known only by the name of Cassety Hollow. Here he built the mills,# as before stated, and in erecting the grist-mill he and Peter Smith were in com- pany. Soon after its completion, Cassety, who was now a colonel in the militia, and justico of the peace, purchased of Smith his share, and mortgagel his property to Smith to secure the payment of the purchase-money. Eventually, the foreclosing of this mortgage re- duced the colonel from competency to poverty. The carnings of years of toil and privation were all swept away.

" His death was most melancholy. A clothier in removing from his shop had left, among other things, a bottle of sulphuric acid. This the colonel supposed to be whisky (a poison, in most cases, just as sure if not as rapid), and the fatal dranght closed his existence in a few hours. He died August 14, 1831. His father, Captain James Cassety, died in Augusta, May 23, 1822, aged eighty- four."

Francis O'Toole, who also settled in 1794, lived an ad- venturous life before coming to this town. After his three years of service in behalf of the Crown he landed at Boston, and went from there to Hartford, Conn., where he hired to Colonel Thomas Seymour, with whom he lived two years. He was supposed by the family to be a " wild, unlettered Irishman," and Mrs. Seymour on one occasion kindly offered to teach him to read, but he told her he was afraid he was too old to learn. The colonel's son Richard, who was at- tending Yale College, was at home on his vacation, and un dertook to make himself appear to great advantage among the servants in the kitchen by uttering a Latin sentenee. This seemed so ridiculous to O"Toole that he made a sharp reply in the same language, being thrown off his guard, and the news soon spread that Colonel Seymour's supposed " wild Irishman" had a good education, and instead of being called " Pat" and " Paddy," as usual, he was addressed as

Mr. O'Toole. His family was much respected by the in- habitants of the town.

In 1796, Abraham and Alexander Holmes settled upon the east hill, and Oliver Bartholomew, Deacon Philip Pond, William Martin, Stephen Crosby, Archibald and John Man- chester, Robert Worden, and John Goodhue located in town the same year. J. Reynolds came in 1795 and began elear- ing, and one evening, while looking for his cow, treed a bear about sixty rods southwest of Ozias Hart's. He called to Mr. Hart, who was in hailing distance, telling him to come with his gun and shoot the bear. Mr. Hart misunderstood, and thought the bear had treed Reynolds. He had a gun well loaded, and one or two dogs, yet he started in pursuit of his brother, who had gone to Utica that day, to help res- eue his neighbor from his perilous position ! Reynolds be- eame impatient, and, leaving the dog to guard the tree, he went to Hart's house ; the dog vacated his post, however, and the bear escaped before Reynolds or the Harts returned, probably laughing, bear fashion, at the courage of Hart and the dog.

Another bear story is told which is worth preserving, the hero of the adventure being Thomas Spafford. While on his way to church one Sunday he noticed a large bear following him. For a time he pursued his way quietly, hoping the animal would leave the path ; but in this he was disappointed, as he came much nearer. He then attempted to frighten him, but failed in that also; and as a final resort he left the path and elimbed a small hemlock-tree, the bear following to its foot. In his haste to escape he caught a dry limb, which broke beneath his weight, and he fell. As he was falling, he said he thought " Old Spafford was gone for it !" He succeeded in effectually frightening the bear, however, and the animal ran 'off as fast as his legs eould carry him as Spafford struck the ground. The latter then pursued his way to church without further molestation.

In the spring of 1797 five families eame in company from Washington, Litehfield Co., Conn., and settled on what is known as Washington Street, running south from the centre; four of these families were those of Robert Durkee, Newton Smith, Joseph Hurd, and Sheldon Parmalee. Later in the same year Benjamin and Joseph Durkee and David Curtis came from the same town and settled in the same locality. The road from Michael Hinman's (later, G. L. Brigham's) to the centre was constructed after these families arrived.

The first merchant-Mr. Aduns-has been mentioned. A Mr. Smith sold goods early near the place in later years occupied by Christopher Stebbins, and was subsequently sentenced to State prison for some misdemeanor. Elisha Carrington established a small store early at Newell's Cor- ners, originally ealled Bartlet's Corners, but soon moved to Peterboro'. Abiel Linsley traded early at the centre, and was for some time associated with Samuel Chandler. This company failed, and W. II. Chandler subsequently-1806- entered into business with his brother, the firm-name being Samuel Chandler & Co. W. II. Chandler did not remove here until 1808, in May, although interested in the store. These brothers continued business together until 1818, when W. HE. Chandler became sole proprietor, and continued until Feb. 24, 1835, at which date the store was burned.

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History of Oneida County, New York, 1667-1878, Part 109

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

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