History of Oneida County, New York, 1667-1878, Part 128

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

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The Union Free School building at Lee Centre was erected in 1872. The school has three departments. Miss Loretta Eames has been the sole assistant in this school since its organization, with the exception of one summer, when Miss Ceraldine Felshaw was engaged as second as- sistant. The first principal was Professor William P. Rob- inson, in 1872-73. Those sinee in charge have been Pro- fessors E. R. Adams, 1873-74 ; Platt E. Capron, 1874-75 ; E. S. Bearss, 1875-76; A. II. Loucks, 1876-78 ; and E. R. Adams, the present principal a second time. The average attendance is large, and the school enjoys a good reputation.

The town of Lee has seventeen school districts, and 785 children of school age. The average attendance for the year ending March 22, 1878, was about 350. The appor- tionment of school funds paid to the districts in this town for 1878, is the sum of $2115.45.

REVOLUTIONARY SOLDIERS, ETC.

The following early settlers of Lee were veterans of the Revolution, viz. : John HIall, Samuel Wright, Smith Miller, Luther Washburn, Sr., James Young, Sr., William Taft, Josiah Rising, Reuben Marsh, Eliakim Miller, Benjamin Crittenden, William Purdy, Isaac Buell, Jared Olcott, Sr., William Remington, Jared Dingman, Nathan Yeomans, Stephen Cleveland, James Eames, Sr., Captain John Ford, Stephen Sutphen, Captain David Starr (died in Lee ; was an early settler of Steuben), Samuel Wyman, and Martin Winehell. The settlers took active part in the war of 1812-15, and during the great Rebellion of 1861-65 the town sent about 200 men to the field. The 97th, 117th, and 146th Infantry, 15th Engineers, and Battery H, of the 3d Artillery, were largely represented from Lee.

THE FIRST WHITE CHILD

born in this town was Fenner Sheldon, a son of Reuben Sheldon, one of the two brothers who first settled at Delta. Ilis birth oceurred in 1791. The first death was that of a young man named Job Kaird, about twenty years of age, who died in 1798 of the bilious putrid fever. The first

marriage was that of Dan Miller and Amy Taft, danghter of William Taft. The next weddings were those of two daughters of James Young, who were married to young men in the neigborhood.

Judge Jones, in his " Annals of Oneida County," says, " The first saw-mill ereeted in Lee was built in 1791 or 1792 by David Smith, Esq., on the Mohawk River, on the site of the present mills in the village of Delta. The sec- ond saw-mill was erected in 1796, by John HIall and Smith Miller, on the Canada Creek, at Lee Centre." The first grist-mill in town was built by General William Floyd, in 1796, and stood on Canada Creek, a mile and a half south of Lee Centre, near the Rome town line. Another was built at Lee Centre, on Canada Creek, in 1798, by Thomas and William Forfar, emigrants from Scotland. A third grist-mill was built on the Mohawk, between 1790 and 1800, by Lu- ther and Smith Miller and Roswell Fellows, a few miles above Fort Stanwix. The present grist-mill at Lee Centre was built by Ezra Hovey, and stands ten or twelve rods down the ereek from the site of the old Forfar mill, which latter was a heavy frame building, with one run of stone. The present mill is the property of Phineas Scothon. Near the old Lee post-office a grist-mill was built previous to 1812, which had considerable custom. It was erected by David Bryan, and called the " pepper mill." The ridge between the eentral and southern parts of town divided the business to some extent, and this mill became necessary.

RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES. A CONGREGATIONAL CHIURCH,

organized in 1797, was the first in town. Its original members were Deacon Nathan Barlow, and Lydia his wife ; James Young, and IIannah his wife; John IIall, Eliakim, and Dan Miller ; Deacon Ebenezer Seymour and wife ; Hezekiah Elmer and wife; Joshua Wells and wife; and Joseph Simmons. The first pastor was Rev. James South- worth, who was succeeded by Rev. Mr. Norton. Among the missionaries who ministered to this congregation were Revs. Mr. Cook, Mr. Leavenworth, John Alexander, Mr. Long, Mr. Ilall, Simeon Snow, Clement Lewis, Mr. Ed- wards, and others. The church owned by this society stood a mile south of Lee Centre. The society, for some twenty years after its organization, used the frame school- house previously mentioned. It finally changed its form of government to Presbyterian, and eventually lost its visi- bility. The old church has been moved to the west part of town, and is now used as a saloon.

UNION ECCLESIASTICAL SOCIETY, LEE CENTRE.

In 1819 the plan of rearing a church at Lee Centre for the convenience of religious meetings and town purposes was discussed, and a society known as the Union Ecclesi- astieal Society formed. Conspicuous among those favoring this measure were James Young and William Park. The result was the building of the present edifiee, known as the Ecelesiastical Church, on land furnished for the pur- pose by William Park. The members of the Congrega- tional Church and society wished a house which that de- nomination could use exclusively, and about the same time erected their church on the old Hall farm, near John Smith's.

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HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

The latter building fell into disuse and has long been re- moved. The members of the Union Society were some- what liberal in their views. They were mainly instru- mental in founding the Harmony Library, the Presbyterians aiding to some extent. The old records of the society were recently destroyed by fire. The church as originally built was without many conveniences, and had only occasional meetings. It has been extensively repaired and remodeled by the Universalists, who use it now exclusively, although by virtue of the original conditions the name remains the same. The Universalists have at present no regular pas- tor. Their membership is about 80. The town hall is in the basement of the church, by permission of Mr. Park at the date of its erection.

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, LEE CENTRE.

The present organization was formed in 1876, and a fine house of worship ereeted at a cost of about $6000. The sum of $4200 was raised on the day of dedieation, to pay its debts. Mrs. R. Spinning and her son, Curtis Spinning, contributed largely, and individual subscriptions were given from $100 to $1000. Rev. James Stanton was the first pastor, and stayed two years. He is now of Copenhagen, Lewis County. The present pastor is Rev. Joseph Baird, and the membership about 130. A flourishing Sabbath- school is sustained, with C. B. Felshaw as Superintendent.

The Methodist Episcopal Society Ladies' Aid Associa- tion has 40 to 50 members, some of the principal ones being Mrs. Markham, Mrs. Felshaw, Mrs. Stedman, Mrs. Pres- ton, Mrs. Park, Mrs. Scothon, and others. The object of this society is to raise funds to keep the furniture of the church and parsonage in good repair. The parsonage has cost about $3000. There is a small Methodist Episcopal Church at Lee Post-office, in charge of Rev. Mr. MeClenthen, of Taberg. There is also a store at the place.

The Methodist Episcopal Church, south of Lee Centre, is supplied every alternate Sabbath from the latter place, as is also the one at Point Roek, in the northwest part of the town. At Lee Line is an old Methodist Church long since gone into disuse.

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCHI, DELTA.

This society was holding meetings in 1838, and may possibly have been organized earlier. Its present house of worship was erceted in 1843. John Slee was the first class-leader here, and Adin Sly, still living in the village, probably the second. The latter is the only one of the original congregation now in the place, and has been a resident of the town since 1827. He came from North Adams, Berkshire Co., Mass. Among the early pastors of the church were Revs. John Roper and Elisha Wheeler, in 1838. The present pastor is Rev. J. W. Roberts, now on his second year at the place. The society numbers about 60 members. Mr. Roberts also preaches at Westernville and on Quaker Hill in the town of Western.

Near West Branch is the old Friends' Meeting-House, not far from the old Thomas Brown farm. The Nisbets, Frasiers, and others, and persons from Boonville and other localities, were among the early members. The membership at present is quite small, but meetings are held occasionally.

Northwest of Stokes post-office, on Jackson Hill, where there is quite an Irish settlement, there is a Catholic Church, with a small membership. It stands on land originally owned by Lyman Harger.

PHYSICIANS.

Among the early physicians in this town were Zenas Hutchinson, Enoch Alden, and Dr. Munger. Of these Dr. Hutchinson, who was reputed to have been an excel- lent physician, probably had the largest practice. Those now in the town are Drs. R. H. Robinson and -- Kings- bury (the latter a druggist) at Lee Centre, and Dr. Pill- more at Delta.

LEE CENTRE.

The post-office at this place was removed here from Stokes in 1827. Charles Stokes was the first postmaster at the latter place, and upon his removal to Lee Centre was appointed first postmaster at this place also. The office at Stokes was next in charge of James M. Husted. The pres- ent incumbent of that office is C. F. King, and of the one at Lee Centre, A. J. Eames. Two express stage lines run daily between Lee Centre and Rome, one via Lee Line, and the other via Stokes, Delta, and Ridge Mills. The latter is the mail-route.

Charles Stokes, while at Nisbet's Corners (Stokes Post- Office), in company with Mr. Nisbet carried on an ashery, and after coming to the Centre, established one at the latter place also. He made the one here very profitable. He also owned a store, which stood on the ground where the new block of A. A. Cornish was erected in 1878. The old Stokes store was built by William and Abijah Park, and rented to a man named Sherman, who opened the first store in the village. It was afterwards occupied by Eleazer Bushnell, and had changed hands several times before Mr. Stokes located here. Archibald Frink succeeded Bush- nell, and Levi Green next owned it, and of him Stokes purchased.

The manufacture of leather was eommeneed in this town on a small seale in 1815. In 1830-31 a tannery was es- tablished at the Centre by Asa Adams, on a stream dis- charging into Canada Creek. It was a small affair. Mr. Adams finally disposed of it to Asa B. Sexton. It is now the property of Eames & Smith, who manufacture sole- leather principally, the market for its products being Bos- ton. A large tannery was established here about 1871-72 by Newton, Nash & Co. (afterwards Newton, Adams & Co.), of Boston. Fine leather in the rough was manufae- tured, and an extensive business done. The establishment was subsequently burned, and has not been rebuilt.

The furniture, cabinet, and undertaking establishment on Canada Creek, in the lower part of the village, was put in operation by George and Aaron Stedman, as early as 1839- 40. The manufactures at present are small.

Lee Centre has two blacksmith-shops (one also working at wagon-making), two dry-goods and grocery stores, a va- riety-store, a drug-store, one tinware and two hardware es- tablishments, a cooper-shop, two shoe-shops, a dentist, one harness-shop, and one hotel, beside other establishments already described.

JERUSHA EAMES.

Photos, by llovey & Brainerd.

JAMES EAMES, SR.

JAMES EAMES, JR.

JAMES EAMES.

Among the early pioneers whose names appear upon the pages of our County History, none are more entitled to an honorable mention than the subject of this sketch. He was of English origin, his ancestors being among the early emigrants to New England, about 1618. He was the son of Daniel Eames and Mary Cutler Eames, and was born Sept. 20, 1762, in Hopkinton, Mass. His father was born April 8, 1744 ; and mother, Mary Cutler, was born Sept. 18, 1744, in Massachusetts. Daniel was a Revolutionary soldier. He was the father of six children, viz., James, Asa, Jesse, Daniel, Mary, and Aaron ; all lived to be grown to manhood, and each had a family. Daniel died June 22, 1812, and his wife died Nov. 26, 1822. James, Sr., was a Revolutionary soldier, and was present when Major Andre was executed. He married Jerusha Newton, a native of Holliston, Mass., during the winter of 1784 or 1785. He had nine children, the five eldest of whom were born in Hopkinton, Mass., and the remainder in Lec, Oneida Co., N. Y. Names of children are as follows: Simeon N., Jerusha, James, Mary, George, Lewis, Daniel, Levina, and Emily. Simeon, George, Lewis, and Daniel were married and had families. James settled in what is now the town of Lec, Oneida Co., with his family, in February, 1798; but he had been here himself previously one or two years and made some improvements, such as building a saw-mill, etc. He was a successful business man. In politics he affiliated with the Whig party. He held various offices of

trust and honor, to the general satisfaction of his eonstit- uents. In religion he was elosely allied to the faith of the Universalists, and the most or all of his family embraced the same faith. He was a highly respected citizen. A kind husband and an affectionate father, he left a name which is cherished by his children. He died Jan. 20, 1844, and his wife died March 10, 1807. James, Jr., was born Oct. 28, 1790; never married. He lived with his father until his death, and then he and his four maiden sisters continued to live together until, one by one, they have passed away, leaving only one sister, Emily, who still resides on the plaec which they purchased in 1861. In politics, a Republican. In religion, a Universalist. In principle, every way a man of truth and honor. He ever tried to make the home pleasant for his sisters. He died suddenly on the 12th of June, 1874.

Miss Jerusha Eames was born Sept. 27, 1788; she always had charge of the family.after the death of her mother, in 1807. She won the affections of her brothers and sisters by her entire devotion to their interest, and the admiration of all by her unselfishness. She was kind, loving, and genial. She was a very intelligent lady, of rare culture, and the impress of her teachings may be seen to-day on the remaining members of the family. She died Aug. 16, 1872.

This biography, and portraits above, are inserted by the sister Emily, in memory of those who she holds most dear.

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HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

Lee Centre Lodge, No. 478, I. O. G. T., is the fourth one of the kind which has had a being in the village, and was organized in February, 1877, with 26 members, the number soon being increased to 35. 40 additional mem- bers have been added at the recent lectures of Prof. W. W. Gunnison. Curtis Spinning is Worthy Chief Templar, and Miss Bella Hicks Worthy Vice-Templar and Lodge Deputy.

Starr Post, No. 56, G. A. R., was organized Feb. 14, 1876, with 30 members, and named for Emory C. Starr, who enlisted from this town in the 146th New York In- fantry. He was taken prisoner at the Wilderness, Virginia, and carried to Andersonville, Ga. After his release he eame home and died. The present officers of the Post are J. J. Castle, P. C. ; M. W. Jones, S. V. C .; J. E. Cook, J. V. C .; A. W. Downing, Adjt .; A. J. Eames, Q. M .; R. H. Robinson, Surgeon ; C. F. King, Chaplain ; N. T. Wood, O. D .; F. H. Waite, O. G .; W. M. Canning, S. M .; A. J. Eames, Q. M. S.

STOKES.

This place is located east of Lec Centre, between that place and Delta, and has a hotel, a post-office, and a Ma- sonic Lodge.

Baron Steuben Lodge, No. 264, F. and A. M., was originally called Westernville Lodge, having been organized at that place, June 2, 1853. It was removed to Stokes, Aug. 14, 1856, and the name changed as above. Its mem- bership, May 1, 1878, was 85, and its officers as follows : WV. M., E. I. Coleman ; S. W., S. M. Smith ; J. W., Charles Carmichael ; Treas., A. J. Sly ; Sec., C. F. King; S. D., M. A. Pease ; J. D., A. J. Burk.

WEST BRANCII.

This place is located in the northeast part of town, and contained in May, 1878, a post-office, with G. Simonds as postmaster, 2 hotels, a shoe-shop, a grist-mill a short dis- tance cast, owned by Wyman Brothers, a blacksmith-shop, and a small population. It is on the stage route from Ava Corners to Rome.

POINT ROCK.

This place is in the northwest corner of town, and takes its name from the steep, rocky point between the two streams (Fish and Point Rock Creeks) which here come together. The streams in this locality abound in trout, and much of the original timber is yet standing. A considerable busi- ness is done in the manufacture of lumber. The place has a store and tavern, and a small number of houses, and is known also by the name of " Belcher." A post-office has recently been established. Two miles below Point Rock is the mouth of Fall Brook, which empties into Fish Creek from the town of Annsville. At its mouth are three fine falls.

LEE POST-OFFICE.

This locality is in the southwest part of town, on the old " State Road." The post-office here was the first one es- tablished in town, and Jesse Madison was the first or one of the first postmasters. The present incumbent of the office is Mr. Madison's son-in-law, Levi K. Brown. Mr. Madison kept a publie-house, and before his time there was another carried on by Esquire Clumb. The first tavern was

kept by one of the Belknaps (probably Eli). There were at one time two taverns in this locality, half a mile apart.

DELTA

is located in the southeast part of town, on the Mohawk, and extends partly into the town of Western. It was named by Anson Dart, who came quite carly to the place with his brother, Oliver Dart. The former, about 1834, built the grist-mill now owned by E. A. Walsworth, and called it " Delta Mills." The present brick store was built the same season by Catlin and Hartoon (brothers-in-law ).

Probably previous to 1828 a post-office was established at Newbernville (Elmer Hill), and Andrew Elmer was the postmaster at that place, until February 26, 1834, when it was removed to Delta, the name changed to correspond with the village, and Franklin Peck appointed postmaster. Mr. Peek's father, Gates Peck, settled in town about 1803-4. The present incumbent is Francis Herrington. As late as 1850 mail was brought twice a week in a one-horse wagon. The office is now on the route between Rome and Lee Centre, and has a daily mail.

Several distilleries were operated at and in the neighbor- hood of Delta in an carly day. The first one was built by Moses Hall, and was afterwards owned and operated by Horace Putnam. This was in the town of Western, although belonging to Delta, and was located on the road running to Westernville, near the lower bridge across the Mohawk. Another was built by Jared C. and Elisha Pet- tibone, and stood in Lee. The latter has been converted into a cheese factory, and is one of the best in town, the number being seven now in operation. The one at Lee Centre is also a large one.

George T. Dennison, of Delta, is a son of Latham Denni- son, an early settler of the town of Floyd, in which he located about 1800. Ile was from Rensselaer Co., N. Y.

E. A. Walsworth, the present proprietor of the Delta grist-mill. is a son of Elisha Walsworth, whose father, Elisha Walsworth, Sr., was one of the early settlers of the town of Western.

Hosea Cornish, of Delta, is a son of George Cornish, who came from Plymouth, Mass., and settled just above Lee Centre immediately after the war of 1812 and 1815.

The present earding-mill, owned by Wellington Bacon, was built probably by Frederick Tracy.

Gates Peck, whose name has several times been men- tioned, settled at first in Rome, when a young, unmarried man. He taught school in that town, and purchased a farm before he was married. He was named after General Gates, of Revolutionary fame, his father, Phineas Peck, having been a soklier under that chieftain, and present at the surrender of Burgoyne. Phineas Peek never came to this town. Franklin Peck, a son of Gates Peck, and brother to Miss E. A. Peck, of Delta, is now a resident of Allegan Co., Mich.

Delta Lodge, No. 101, I. O. G. T., has been in exist- ence three or four years, and has a membership of about 80. The principal officers are Dr. J. Pillinore, W. C. T .; Cynthia Roberts, W. V. T .; Daniel Smith, Lodge Deputy.

The village contains two stores, a post-office, a tobacco factory, a harness-shop, a grist-mill, a carding-mill, three

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HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

blacksmith-shops, three shoe-shops, a Methodist Church, a chcese-factory, etc., and is a place of considerable business.

For information received, we are indebted to D. S. Young, William Park, A. J. Eames, Willis Austin (town clerk, for use of records), and others, at Lee Centre ; George T. Den- nison, Hosea Cornish, Miss E. A. Peck, Miss Sly and her father, Adin Siy, and others, at Delta; beside numerous others, including members of the various churches and pro- prietors of manufactories. David S. Young, of Lee Centre, furnished us with the address of Judge Miller at the anni- versary meeting, and also with various notes made by the judge at different times. To all who have aided us, we return sincere thanks.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH.

MARTIN WASHBURN,

son of Luther Washburn, was born in Vermont, May 21, 1782. His father, Luther, emigrated from England pre- vious to the Revolutionary war, in which he served till its close. He married Sarah Spinning, by whom he had eight

Photo, by Hovey & Brainerd.

MARTIN WASHBURN.

children, viz., Martin, Freeman, Luther, Rufus, Sally, Ma- linda, Rachel, and Calvin, all of whom were born in Ver- mont, except Calvin.

Martin came with his parents and other members of the family to Lee, Oneida County, N. Y., about the year 1795, being then about thirteen years old ; was married to Martha Curtis in 1802, by whom he had twelve children, viz. : Manford, Eleeta, Julia A., Irene, John, Fanny, Alvira, Euphemia, Daniel, Albert, Samuel, and Alpheus ; all of whom lived to be men and women. Manford, Samuel, and Alpheus are now dead.

Mr. Washburn, by occupation, ever followed that of the

farmer, and purchased in 1814 the farm now owned by his son-in-law, Curtis Spinning; sold the same in 1828, and moved nearer to Lec Centre. In politics he affiliated with the Democratic party, and died January 1, 1867. His wife, Martha Curtis, was born in Oneida County, N. Y., 1786, and died March, 1844. His father, Luther Wash- burn, died September, 1848, at the advanced age of ninety- two. It is a pleasure to preserve the memory of these stanch pioneers and defenders of our common country, Martin having served in the war of 1812.

CHAPTER XXXIV.

MARCY.

AN act of the Legislature entitled " An Act to divide the Town of Deerfield, in the County of Oneida," was passed March 30, 1832, and the southwest part of Deer- field was ereeted into a new town, which was named Marey, after the then Governor of the State, Hon. William L. Marcy. A few months afterward the Governor visited the town, and was the guest of C. Baldwin, Esq. The terri- tory comprised in this town is made up of portions of the following patents, viz. : Oriskany, in the southwest part ; Sadaqueda, southern central; Cosby's Manor, southeast ; Servis, northeast ; Holland, northern central; and Sumner, northwest. Its area, according to a tabulated valuation in 1869 by a committee of the board of supervisors, made for the purpose of equalizing assessments, is 19,065 acres.

The Mohawk River forms the southern boundary of the town. The rich alluvial flats along this stream vary in width from half a mile to a mile, and are very productive. To the north of them extends a wide, level " beneh" or terrace, which is generally sandy and thirty or forty feet higher than the river. The northern portion of the town is composed of ridges of high hills, rising six hundred feet above the Mohawk, and broken in places by deep valleys through which flow numerous small streams. Nine-Mile Creek enters from Trenton on the northwest, and after a winding course of several miles, and a deviation into the town of Floyd, it finally flows into the Mohawk, near the southwest corner, and in the town of Marey.

The Utica and Black River Railway crosses diagonally from southeast to northwest, having a station at Marcy Post-office, and leaves the town at Stittville. The old " Northern Plank-road" traverses the northeast corner of the town. It has been abandoned as a plank-road some years. This highway was built in 1847-48 by the " North- ern Plank-road Company," and the travel over it has always been extensive. It was laid over the original turnpike road passing through Trenton, Remsen, etc.

The inhabitants of Marcy are engaged largely in dairying, and numerous factories for the manufacture of cheese have been erected. There is also an establishment in the western part for making cheese-boxes. The most extensive cheese- factory in town is owned by Mr. Hodges, in the southwest part. The first factory was built in 1862, on the farm owned by Levi Tanner, by Messrs. Levi Tanner, A. W.

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HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

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History of Oneida County, New York, 1667-1878, Part 128

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

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