History of Oneida County, New York, 1667-1878, Part 133

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

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was buried April 11. I rode in my sleigh. Snow in many places 3 feet deep in the path; 1} foot generally in the woods ; very little ground to be seen in the open fields." Jane Bester, wife of Samuel G. Bester, suicided by cutting her throat with a knife, Feb. 12, 1812. Seven persons died in 1811, whose aggregate ages were 479 years. June 16, 1815, " William Barnard, at. 12, Methodist, killed by a lad who fired a gun, loaded with shot, not knowing it to be loaded. The charge entered his face around his right eye. Death was immediate almost."

The first year of Mr. Steele's death record shows that three persons died in 1795,-August 11, an infant son of Lemuel Potter and Lydia, his wife; August 14, Eleazer Welton, aged twenty ; December 8, Ziba Kindall. Six persons died in 1796, three in 1797, four in 1798, three in 1799, and five in 1800.

St. Paul's Church (Episcopal), Paris Hill .- This is the oldest Episcopal Church in the State of New York west of Johnstown, in what was once the Diocese of Western New York. From correspondence published in the Gospel Messenger, at Utica, the following notes are made :

" The town of Paris began to be settled in 1789, and the first suggestion as bearing upon the organization of the church was at the raising of the Presbyterian meeting-house in 1795, when a gentleman (name unknown) remarked ' that he had given so much towards this house, and would give as much more towards an Episcopal Church.' The next year brought the Blakeslees as an accession to the little band of churchmen. Nothing further was apparently done until the autumn of 1796, when on a general training-day those favorable to the organization of a society 'after the Protestant Episcopal order' met in an ox-cart, and it was probably at this meeting that the future organization was determined upon so soon as the legal requirements could be fulfilled, for it would require ten at least to constitute a vestry.".

Among those prominent in the movement were Eli Blakeslee, Captain Gidcon Seymour, and Captain Uri Doolittle, Revolutionary veterans. The first meeting of members was held Feb. 13, 1797, and the following are the minutes of it :

" PARIS, February 13, 1797.

" At a meeting of the members of the Protestant Episcopal order, legally warned and met at the dwelling house of Selah Seymour, and proceeded according to an act for the relief of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the State of New York, as follows :

" Firstly, chose Gideon Seymour Chairman.

"Secondly, chose Selah Seymour Clerk of Meeting.

" Thirdly, choso Eli Blakeslee Senior Warden.

" Fourthly, chose Gideon Seymour Junior Warden.

" Fifthly, chose eight vestrymen as they stand : Uri Doolittle, Ben- jamin Graves, Peter Selleck, Epaphroditus Bly, Selah Seymour, Thomas Stebins, George Harden, Noah Humaston, Silas Judd.

" Same time Voted, That the Monday after Easter Sunday shall be held as a day for election to Church Wardens and Vestrymen.

" Then Voted, The name of this Church shall be styled and called St. Paul's Church, in Herkimer County.

" Voted to dissolve this meeting the 13th of February, 1797."

The records of the second meeting are as follows :

" Met on Monday, 17th April, 1797.

" Chose Gideon Seymour Chairman.

" Chose Selah Seymour Clerk.

" Firstly, chose Gideon Seymour Senior Warden.

" Secondly, chose Eli Blakeslee Junior Warden. 63

" Chose Jonathan Thorn, Uri Doolittle, Thomas Dakin, Benjamin Graves, Thomas Stebins, Abram Bailey, Peter Selleck, George Harden, Vestrymen.

" Chose Thomas Dakin and Eli Blakeslee as clerks to read publie service.

" Chose Thomas Dakin and Selah Seymour as a committee to settle with Mr. Ellison and Mr. Steele for the services that they have done for us.

" Voted, That Thomas Dakin and Selah Seymour shall furnish a society-book, and be allowed for it by the society.

" Then dissolved the meeting, April 17, 1797."

It seems that the first vestry, as a whole, was composed of eleven persons. Silas Judd, a young man, being present at the meeting, here .first announced himself as an Episco- palian, and it was suggested that he be added to the vestry. Mr. Blakeslee is said to have remarked that "he knew of no law which would forbid it," and Mr. Judd was accord- ingly added, thereby making all present at the meeting members of the vestry.

The following Sunday services began, Eli Blakeslee read- ing the service, and Selah Seymour the sermon. It is a noticeable fact that since that time not a Sunday has passed on which the church has not been open for services, no matter what the weather, although sometimes not more than two or three would be present.

"The first clergyman known to have entered the limits of this parish was the Rev. Robert Griffith Wetmore, and there is no evi- dence in possession of the society that ho was ever present except on one occasion, and that on the 14th of November, 1797, when he per- formed baptisms at the houses of Peter Selleek and Uri Doolittle."

The following is a copy of Mr. Wetmore's certificate of this ceremony :

" I CERTIFY that, in Paris, in the county of Herkimer, on Tuesday, the 14th of November, 1797, I baptized Rufus Lockwood Selleck, Jesse Selleck, Drake Selleck, Mary Selleck, Ebenezer Lockwood Selleck, and George Selleck, according to the due and prescribed order of the Protestant Episcopal Church, in presence of divers wit- nesses, the parents of said children, Peter Selleek and Mary, being sponsors.

[SEAL.] " Given under my hand and scal the day aforesaid. " ROBERT GRIFFITH WETMORE, "Itinerant Missionary. " To the Committee of the Episcopal Church for Propagating the Gospel in the State of New York."

Mr. Wetmore was followed " by such worthy mission- aries as Father Nash on the 10th of December, 1798, and on the 16th of the same month by Rev. Philander Chase, the former in after-years very often visiting the parish. Within the next seven years appear the names of Rev. John Urquhart, the Rev. Mr. Thatcher, and the Rev. Mr. Judd." In 1804 the Rev. Davenport Phelps reports " that he had performed divine service at Paris, at Hamil- ton, at Sullivan, and at Pompey, and at cach of these settlements had baptized several children, and at Paris had administered the Holy Communion. IIc also states that a church had been organized in the town of Manlins, and there appeared a disposition to organize, at a favorable period, churches in other towns."

The Rev. Mr. Judd remarks " that he had visited a par- ish at Chenango by special direction of the bishop, and was received with the greatest cordiality and affection, and has reason to expect that good effects will arise from his

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HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

ministrations, ete., among them." After leaving Chenango Mr. Judd visited " Paris, Camden, Townships Nos. 7 and 8, Utiea, and Redfield, and after setting out on his journey to Lowville, a town on the Black River, was obliged to re- turn on aeeount of the badness of the roads."

In 1807 the Rev. Mr. Phelps again writes :

" My journeys have been extended from Pompey, and in some cases eight miles further east, to Palmyra, in the county of Ontario, a dis- tance of more than ninety miles. On this route I have officiated at Sullivan, Pompey, Manlius, Onondaga, Aurelius, and its vicinity, Cayuga, Geneva, and Palmyra, and sinee the last winter at Clifton Springs, comprising, in the whole, six churches."

It is impossible to state definitely the commencement of the Rev. Mr. Baldwin's services among the churches of this vieinity, but in 1809 it is thus reported :

"Utica, Paris, and Fairfield; Rev. Amos G. Baldwin, reetor. Officiates one-half the time in Utiea, one-quarter in Paris, and one- sixth in Fairfield. . .. "

Mr. Baldwin continued as rector of these parishes until 1814. In 1811 Christ Church, in Madison County (prob- ably at Eaton), was added to his reetorship; but in 1813 this and Fairfield were relinquished. In 1810 the place was visited by Bishop Moore, and in 1812 by Bishop Hobart, who each confirmed a number of persons. The church at Smithfield, formerly ealled Lenox, is an offshoot from the Paris Church. In 1814, Rev. William B. Laeey officiated here, and in 1815, Rev. William A. Clark was a missionary " at Manlius and parts adjacent" (ineluding Paris), and it was visited the same year by Rev. Mr. Nash. While the latter was at Paris, in 1817, the sum of $2000 was raised by subseription as a fund for building a ehureh ; of this sum, $475 were raised by Darius Seovill and his sons, Isaac, Seabury, and Edward. Rev. Mr. Huse was here from 1817 to some period subsequent to 1819.

Rev. Algernon S. Hollister was, in 1824, missionary at Paris " and parts adjacent," and was here until 1828, dur- ing which year Rev. Orsamus H. Smith began his reetor- ship, being the " first elergyman to devote his undivided attention to the welfare of the parish." Mr. Smith left in 1833. The reetors sinee have been Revs. Henry Peek, six years, from 1838 to 1844; Isaae Swart, 1844, stayed about one year; John Hughes, 1845; William Baker, April 1, 1847, to 1853; M. Northrup, of New Hartford, held occasional services as stated supply in 1854; William Atwell, October 22, 1854, to April 4, 1857 ; succeeded at onee by William J. Alger, who was here until 1868; John B. Wieks, from early in 1868 until November of the same year, was lay-reader, and at the latter date was ordained, and has sinee been the rector of the parish. He offieiates also at Clayville and Bridgewater.

The number of communieants by the report for 1877 was 67. The Sunday-school has a membership of about 30, and is superintended by John Osborn. A day-school has been conducted by the parish in 1877-78, in charge of the reetor.

The present frame church owned by the society at Paris Hill was built in 1818, and eonseerated September 20, 1819, by Bishop Hobart, who, on that day, confirmed 79 persons. This. is their second church edifice ; the first one

was a small frame building, ereeted probably about 1800. It was afterwards used as a dwelling, and finally burned to the ground. Rev. Mr. Huse was reetor at the time the present ehureh was built. One of its windows bears the following inseription :

"In memoriam : Isaae Scovill, vestryman of this parish 28 years, between 1808 and 1861, and warden from 1844 to 1855. Died Deeem- ber, 1861, aged 81."

Another has :

"In memory of Anson Hubbard. Died Dee. 28, 1863. He was a vestryman of this ehurch thirty-two years."

"In memory of Nabby Hubbard, who died Sept. 11, 1857." One window has :

"Gift of the family of Charles P. Davis, and in memory of the Rt. Rev. William Heathcote De Lancey, first Bishop of Western New York. Born Oct. 8, 1797. Died April 5, 1865."

A marble tablet near the entrance bears the following :

"Erected to the memory of the Founders and First Vestry of St. Paul's Church, Paris. Organized the 13th of February, 1797. Eli Blakeslee, Senior Warden; Gideon Seymour, Junior Warden ; Vestry- men, Uri Doolittle, Selah Seymour, Benjamin Graves, Thomas Stebins, Peter Selleck, George Harden, Ep'o's Bly, Silas Judd."

A subscription of $4.85 was raised by the society Novem- ber 16, 1801, for the purchase of a bass viol. The name of the musician is now unknown. Mr. Ellison and Mr. Steele, mentioned in the minutes of the second meeting, were pastors respectively of an Episcopal Church in Albany and the Presbyterian Church at Paris Hill. Mr. Ellison was familiarly known as the "English Dominie."

Presbyterian Church, Sauquoit .-- We make the following extracts from a sermon by the present pastor of this church, Rev. B. F. Willoughby :

"In the fall of 1789, Mr. Phineas Kellogg erected the first log house in this vieinity, on the bank of the Sauquoit Creek, back of the location of the present residence of Mr. Frank Tucker. In the spring of 1790 came John and Sylvester Butler and Asa Shepherd, and erected a log house on lands purchased by their fathers the year before. The same year Mr. Nichols settled on the other side of the creek, one of whose daughters was one of the original members of this church. In 1791 Abner Bacon settled in this region, who, with four of his family, was among the original members of this church. In the same year eame Jonathan Davis, one of the original members, and Enos Pratt, whose wife and sister-in-law were among those members. In 1792 eame Joseph Howard, grandfather of M. M. Gray and Asa Gray, the well- known botanist. Ile, with his wife and father, were also among the original members.

"There is an old record of a first unsuccessful attempt to form a re- ligious society here in 1795. On July G of that year a meeting was held in the store of Dr. Perkins,- standing where the hotel now stands, -and a society was then formed by the name of Hancock Religious Society. The following officers were chosen, viz. : Joseph Howard, Clerk ; Jonathan Davis, William Babbitt, David Seymour, Asa Shep- herd, Matthew Nichols, Jonathan Davis, Jr., Jesse Prior, and Aaron Davis, Trustees. A committee of three was then appointed to appraise the land for a house of worship, viz. : Henry Crane, Jonathan Davis, and John Clay. After this, on Sept. 7, 1795, there was a second meeting, in which provision was made for the purchase of a lot for a burying-ground, and also they received and agreed to the report of the committee on the site of the church. They then voted to dissolve the meeting; and with this, so far as records show, not only the meet- ing, but the Haneoek Religious Society itself was dissolved.

"Before the year 1800 oeeasional serviees were held in a school- house standing about on the present site of Mr. Sullivan's blacksmith- shop. In October, 1800, the Norwich Soeicty passed a resolution that the preaching on the Sabbath should be held in that school-house one- third of the time until the following May. In 1802 a new school- house was erected on the site of the old one; and it was built mueh

PHOTO BY MUNDAY & WILLIAMS

LYSANDER HEAD.

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OLD HOME. RES. OF JONATHAN HEAD.

RESIDENCE or L. &J. E. HEAD, PARIS, ONEIDA COUNTY, N. Y.

LITH BY L. H. EVERTS, PHILA, PA.

A. P. Tompkins

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PHOTOS BY MUNDY & WILLIAMS UTICA N Y.

RESIDENCE OF J. P. TOMPKINS, PARIS TE ONEIDA C º, N.Y.

LITH.BY L.H EVERTS, PHILA, PA.

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IHISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

larger, with two rooms and a swing partition between them, which could be swung up and fastened on hooks to the ceiling ahove, so as to make it convenient for religious services. This was our church accommodation until the year 1810."

Eighteen of the members of the Norwich Church were dismissed December 12, 1809, to form a separate church here ; and on the 29th of January, 1810, a meeting was held at the house of Abner Baeon, which stood nearly on the site of the present residenee of Chaunecy S. Butler, and the Paris Union Society was organized with 26 mem- bers,-9 males and 17 females. Revs. E. Wood, J. East- man, and J. Southworth were present on this oeeasion. The Congregational form of church government was adopted, but has sinee been changed to the Presbyterian.

" In the spring of 1810 the Rev. Ezra Woodworth commeneed his lahors here as stated supply. About the Ist of June the church build- ing of Norwich was consumed hy fire, and the people there made a proposition to the people of the Creek to unite with them in building a new church midway between the two places, which proposition was declined. On the 21st of August a meeting was held to make arrange- ments for the building of a church in this locality. At first it was decided to huild on the east side of the Creek, and the site was selected just heyond the residence of the late William Knight. Here the foundation was laid in the spring of 1811, and the timber was brought together, when the site was suddenly changed to the one where this church now stands. The foundation and the timuber were both re- moved to this spot, and such was the zeal of the people in the work that the whole transfer was effected in a single day. Before the end of this year (1811) the building was inclosed, and for three years fol- lowing the congregation worshiped in it as it was, benches being ear- ried in for their accommodation. It was completed in November, 1814, and the pews were rented for the first time January 2, 1815."

This old church was in shape peculiar to the times,- large, square, and high, without a steeple, with the doors under the eaves instead of under the gables, with two rows of windows, with a gallery running around three sides on the interior, and an old-fashioned high pulpit. This house stood until the year 1843, when it was torn down and the present one built in its place.

Mr. Woodworth elosed his labors in 1813, and Mareh 22, 1814, Rev. Abner Benediet beeame stated supply, and continued as such eight months. Rev. Publius V. Bogue began preaching here in the latter part of 1814, and was installed the first pastor of the church Mareh 5, 1815, re- maining until the elose of 1825. Rev. Oren Catlin beeame stated supply June 1, 1826, and remained until April 1, 1829. After this the pulpit was supplied by Rev. Mr. Waters, who resided near Paris Hill. March 1, 1830, Rev. Oren Hyde became stated supply, and stayed ten months. He was succeeded in the same eapaeity by Rev. T. D. Southworth, who remained until the elose of 1832. Rev. Beriah B. Hotehkin sueeeeded him April 1, 1833, and on the 30th of the same month was installed the second pastor of the church. He remained a little over three years, retiring the last of August, 1836. For nineteen months thereafter the church was supplied with occasional preaching by Rev. Messrs. Crafts, David Gilmer, and Gilbert.

Rev. Franeis Jones, who eame April 1, 1838, was in- stalled third pastor December 5, following, and remained until July, 1841. During his pastorate the Ladies' Foreign Missionary Society was formed (July, 1838), and soon after changed its name to the Ladies' Benevolent Association, which it still retains. One week after Mr. Jones elosed

his labors here Rev. John Waugh began his, and was in charge of this church fourteen years, or until the first Sab- bath in July, 1855. He was not installed pastor until Dec. 27, 1843, the day the new church was dedicated.

Oct. 5, 1856, seven persons, and shortly after two others, were dismissed from this church to form a separate organ- ization at Clayville. In the spring of 1857, on the 1st of April, Rev. Joseph N. McGiffert became the fifth pastor of the church at Sauquoit, and remained a little over nine years, closing his labors here June 15, 1866, and removing to Ashtabula, Ohio. Rev. E. B. Parsons was stated supply for eight months in 1868, and on the 1st of February, 1869, the present pastor, Rev. B. F. Willoughby, began his labors ; he was installed the sixth pastor of this church July 6, of the same year. The membership of the society at present is about 125. A Sunday-school is sustained with a membership of over 100; H. D. Brownell is its Superintendent.

Methodist Episcopal Church, Sauquoit .- A Methodist elass was formed in this town very early, and a house of worship ereeted, which, according to the recollection of Dr. Leverett Bishop, was considerably out of repair in 1816. This building has been extensively repaired, and is now used as an academy. The present brick church, occupying a position north of the old one, was built in 1842. The present pastor is Rev. William Watson, re- eently (spring of 1878) appointed by the Conference, of which he is one of the secretaries. The membership of the society is about 225, and the Superintendent of the Sunday- school is W. E. Niehols.

A Welsh Church formerly existed in the south part of town. The building was ereeted as a union church by several Welsh societies. The church in Waterville finally absorbed it, and it has been disbanded.

Baptist Church, Cassville .- This society was organized at some period between the years 1820 and 1830, and a frame ehureh ereeted, which was subsequently destroyed by fire. The present substantial frame edifiee was built on the same site in 1868. The present pastor of this ehureh, which has about 160 members, is Rev. A. A. Watson. A Sunday-school is sustained with an attendanee of about 150; its Superintendent i, Henry Swan.

There was at one time a Presbyterian Church at Cassville, which has gone out of existenee. Its house of worship was built the next year after the old Baptist Church. No meetings are now held in the village by this denomination.

The Clayville Presbyterian Society was organized in 1856, by nine persons dismissed from the Sauquoit Church for that purpose. Meetings were first held in a room which was fitted up in a building owned by D. J. Millard. In September, 1858, a committee of ladies started a subserip- tion paper for funds to build a church. D. J. Millard aided largely in the work, and the present frame ehureh edifiee was built soon after. It is located in the upper part of the village. The deaeons of the society (who were also elders) at that time were Lloyd Johnson and Warren Bragg, and Mr. Johnson still holds the position. Mr. Bragg was killed in a railway aeeident at Stroudsburg, Pa., in 1876, while en route to the Centennial Exposition. The church was at first supplied with preaching by different

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HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

ministers. The first pastor was Rev. M. E. Dunham, who began his labors in 1858 and preached nearly six years. He is now at Johnstown, Montgomery Co. He was suc- eeeded by Rev. A. C. Shaw, D.D., in 1864, now of Fulton, Oswego Co. The third and present pastor is Rev. C. H. Beebe, who has been in charge since May, 1870. The offi- cers of the society are: Church Clerk and Elder, Levi Ma- son ; Elders, Ezekiel Pieree, John B. Tompkins, N. M. Worden. The membership is about 90. A Sabbath-school is sustained with over 200 members, and an average attend- ance of 150; the teachers number 20. Dr. H. W. Tomp- kins is Superintendent and Chorister, and Mrs. Tompkins, Assistant Superintendent. The value of the church prop- crty, including the parsonage, is about $8000.

St. John's Episcopal Church, Clayville .- Through the efforts of Frederick Hollister, of early manufacturing fame in this village, the services of Rev. William Baker were sceured, and he preached here in the spring of 1847. The present fine briek church was built in 1848-49, at a cost of $17,000 to $20,000. The first meeting of the society was held April 25, 1847, in the old school house. Mr. Baker, at that time rector of St. Paul's Church, at Paris Hill, preached here one Sunday in cach month. Rev. William H. Paddock, principal of a family school at New Hartford, aided in forming the society here, and meetings were held every other Sunday. The corner-stonc of the church was laid June 21, 1848, by Bishop De Lanccy, and the society was incorporated July 9, 1849, with 21 members. John Wicks and Ezra Brown were the first church-wardens, and the vestrymen were James H. Jen- nings, R. Wells Dickenson, Riley W. Miller, Sterling A. Millard, Aaron B. Bligh, Frederick Hollister, George Lord, Parmenas Mott. The site for the church was deeded by the " Empire Mills Company," and the building was consecrated by Bishop De Lancey, December 23, 1849. Rev. P. A. Proal, D.D., of Trinity Church, Utiea, was the first rector of St. John's. The present rector is Rev. J. B. Wicks, of Paris Hill, and the communicants number about 25.

The Methodist Episcopal Church at Clayville was organ- ized some time during the Rebellion, about 1863-64. Its pulpit is at present supplied by Rev. E. J. Clemens.

St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Clayville .- The first Catholie clergyman who visited this place was Rev. Pat- rick Carraher, of St. Patrick's Church, West Utiea, some thirty years ago or more. He celebrated mass in the school- house. The church was organized by Rev. Father Cough- lin, of Clinton, who was succeeded by Rev. Father O'Reilly, now of Clinton, under whose supervision the present frame church was built about 1864, and dedicated in 1865. In 1868 (previous to which time Father O'Reilly had at- tended at this place, Waterville, West Winfield, Herkimer Co., etc.) another clergyman was appointed at Waterville, -Rev. Philip Smith, who had charge also at Clayville. The present pastor, Rev. E. F. O'Connor, was appointed in 1874, and holds services also at West Winfield, where a church was dedicated September 30, 1877. St. Patrick's parish ineludes about 140 families, or some 700 individ- uals. Two Sunday-schools are sustained : one at Clayville, with an attendance of about 75, superintended by Michael

Dempsey, and another in the school-house at Chadwick's Mills, in the town of New Hartford. The society has a fine cemetery on the road north of Clayville, near the one belonging to the village.

PARIS HILL.

The following sketch was prepared by Hon. Lorenzo Rousc, onec a prominent citizen of this town, and now of Clinton, in the town of Kirkland. It has been handed us by J. V. H. Scovill, of Paris Hill :

"My knowledge of the early history of Paris is, of course, somne- what limited as to personal observation, my first acquaintance with it having commenced in the spring of 1816, that is, twenty-seven years after the first settlement was made, which was at Paris Hill and vieinity. This first settlement made in the town was in 1789. It was then in the town of Whitestown, and was the third settlement made in that town, if not in the county, Whitestown having been first settled in 1784, Clinton in 1787, and Paris Hill in 1789. (Utica, how- ever, had three log huts in 1787, so that Paris Hill must have been the fourth settlement in the county .= )

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History of Oneida County, New York, 1667-1878, Part 133

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

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