History of Oneida County, New York, 1667-1878, Part 145

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

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" Mr. Tuttle informs me that in the fall of 1801 Captain John Bil- lings and Mr. James Douglas, of Westfield, Massachusetts, came to Treuton. They were merchants, and by marriage related to one another, and to Dr. Guitenu. They were both Democrats, and could livo in harmony, and they entered into a partnership which lasted several years. Mr. Billings was appointed postmaster in 1805, and held his position about fifty years, and accounted for every cent of the receipts of his office. IIe was born in 1781, and died in 1863.

" The grandfather of Mr. James Douglas was a native of Scotland. Ile became a planter on the island of Jamaica. He had two children, a son and daughter. ITis son, Thomas James Douglas, at the age of eighteen, and in the year 1758, came to Amuerica, with two servants, landing at Providence, Rhode Island. He engaged in the Revolu- tionary struggle with Great Britain, holding the commission of major in the army. He corresponded with General Washington, and also with other officers, and this correspondence is still extant. Ilis son, James Douglas, was born at Westfield, Mass,, in 1778, and, as I have already mentioned, came here in the fall of 1804, with Captain Bil- lings. They were strongly urged to stop at Utica, but the hill-sides about Utica were very wet, while the lowlands were subject to the overflowings of the Mohawk River, and they decided to come here. Mr. Douglas diel in 185I, leaving a widow and sons and daughters, who survive him.

" Captain Billings held a commission in the war of 1812, and went with his company to Sacket's Harbor. For thirty years Mr. Douglas and Captain Billings were associated in business, and when they dis- solved partnership the new firm was Douglas & Son. About 1810 there were five stores at Trenton, which were carried on by the fol- lowing persons: Mappa & Remsen, Chapman & Cooper, Billings & Douglas, Brooks & Mason, and Mr. Griswold.

" At that time there was no village of Prospect. Thero was Rem- sen, but no store there; Holland Patent, but no store there; Russia, but no store there; and thus the trade of that part of Herkimer County, and all this part of Oncida County, was tributary to your village, and some of your trade came over from Martinsburg.

" Mr. Tuttle states that Colonel Thomas Hicks built the house in which Dr. Guitcau now resides. Colonel Ilicks was an influential and active citizen, and an earnest Federalist.

"The house in which Judge Vanderkemp resided Mr. Tuttle thinks was built by him. This is quite likely, but the original poor, thin, cold building cannot now be recognized in the pretty and comfortable cottage occupied by Mr. Silsbee.

"From 1816 to 1871 Mr. Tuttle owned 164 acres of land. which included all of Trenton Falls on the west side of Canada Creek up to Fanning's (now Perkins') south line, except the first, or Sherman's Fall. He gave for it, in 1816, from $20 to $25 per aere, and sold it, in IS7I, to Mr. Moore, for $100 per acre ; but Mr. Moore occupied tho land twenty years before he purchased it. Mr. Tuttle states that prior to 1832 those who wished to see the Falls used to stop at the Backus Hotel,-now Mr. Skinner's house,-in your village, and then go to the ravine by a path across the fields and through some gates.

" About the year 1822, Joseph Bonaparte, who then lived in New Jersey, gave some money to Mr. Backus to blast out some of the rock in the ravine, so as to make a safe walk up to the first fall. Bona- parte was delighted with the beauty of the falls, and predicted that they would be of great note; and to-day Mr. Moore's register will show the names of visitors from all parts of the world. Among tho first settlers, Judge John Storrs held the office of supervisor eleven years, Peter Schuyler ten years, and William Rollo eighteen years. When we look back upon the early settlers, we wish we had the timo to give the name and history of every one ; but they number between two hundred and three hundred as carly as 1804.

" Mrs. Ann Jones was the dangher of a Welsh Baptist minister. She began to live here with the Mappas when about twelve years old, and lived with them until she was married. She is now about eighty- six years old, and her memory is good. I have obtained from her some of the narratives already given to you, and to them should be added the following account of the substantial manner of living of our Dutch ancestry :

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HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

"' Ist. At half-past seven in the morning tea and bread and butter.

"$ 2d. At eleven o'clock a lunch for the gentlemen.

"' 3d. At one o'clock dinner.

"' 4th. At six o'clock a light tea.

"'5th. At nine o'clock a hearty supper of cold meat and hot vegetables, followed by sound sleep and a good old age.'

" Paseal C. J. De Angelis was of foreign birth, but came to this country in boyhood. Ile took an active part in the Revolutionary war, in the naval service; was taken prisoner by the British, and eon- fined in Dartmoor prison. After the war he built and commanded a vessel in the merchant service, trading principally with the West Indies. Becoming acquainted with Mr. Johnson, one of the proprie- tors of Holland Patent, named after Lord Holland, and which must not be confounded with the land of the Holland Land Company, he was persuaded by his friend, Mr. Fisk, to forsake his favorite element, and to join him and a Mr. Hubbard in the purchase of one-quarter of this Holland Patent. They all came on in 1797, finding an unbroken wilderness, except where a few families had made small elearings.

" Under the date of Oct. 12, 1797, James Hulbert receipts ' the sum of one hundred and twenty dollars of P. C. J. De Angelis, for im- provements and buildings.' These consisted of a log house, on land now occupied by W. W. De Angelis as a garden. In this rude building the family of Judge De Angelis were glad to take their first night's rest at their new home.

" Mr. Fisk built the first frame house, namely, that in which F. II. Thomson now lives.

"Judge De Angelis built the next, now occupied by Mr. Charles M. White and his aged mother. This was built in the year 1800.

"I must here close this imperfeet and unfinished account of some of the first settlers of Trenton, but not without the hope of gathering hereafter more facts and making a more complete record.

" This celebration is the work of the ladies of Trenton, and it is upon their invitation that I have given this review of the early his- tory of this place; but no review ean be considered complete which fails to show how large a share of the prosperity and virtue of the early settlers was due to the self-denial and intelligence and Christian principles of the women who shared with the men all the trials and dangers and deprivations of their forest life.

" The women of the Revolution and of the first settlements were the equals of the men in courage and resource to meet the necessities of a new country, and they were their superiors in refinement. The wives of tue distinguished persons I have mentioned brought with them all the politeness and courtly manners of the Old World, and imparted them to their children. The memory of Miss Mappa and Miss Van- derkemp is still fresh in the minds of you all,-their unassuming good- ness, their gentle ways, not unmingled with energy, are household talk with you, and so did they endear themselves to you that you yet think and speak of them as relatives; nor do we forget the fresh grave of Madame De Castro.

"I venture not beyond the mention of these names, lest I trespass upon grounds which you may think too sacred for this public occasion, but I can say that the same general traits of character pervaded this community ; the religious, the thinking, and the working blood of the old world (and that is the only blood worth having or saving) found its way here, and showed its superiority as well in the forests of America as in the courts of kings. Mothers instilled into the hearts and minds of their children patriotism and virtue, and it is only when men depart from maternal precepts that they sacrifice their integrity for money, and bring disgrace upon the offices of trust con - fided to them. To restore integrity and purity to the American people, in publie and private, we look not to legislatures, not to governors or presidents, not to conventions, but to the mother's teachings in her own home, where she reigns supreme, and where her influence will determine the future history of this country.

" It is for her to check the extravagance of the day, and to restore the simplicity and economy of living of the early days of the republic.

" When I consider the past I have no misgivings of the future. The history of the settlers of Trenton is the fulfillment of the words of the Psalmist, ' Though he suffer them to be evil entreated through tyrants, and let them wander out of the way in the wilderness, yet helpeth he the poor out of misery and maketh him households like a flock of sheep ;' and with the Psalmist may we all say, " Let them give thanks whom the Lord hath redeemed and delivered from the hand of the enemy ; and gathered them out of the lands from the East and from the West, from the North and from the South.'"

Vincent Tuttle, mentioned in Mr. Seymour's address, eame with his father, Daniel Tuttle, from Suffolk Co., Long Island, N. Y., in 1794, and settled at Norway, Herkimer Co. In 1804 they removed to Oneida County, and located in the town of Trenton, near what is now Prospeet village. Vineent Tuttle, who was but four years of age when his father settled in Herkimer County, after attaining his ma- jority located on a farm between Prospeet and Trenton villages, and resided there for fifty-one years. He is now living in the village of Holland Patent. Daniel Tuttle was a veteran of the Revolution, and was present at the surren- der of Burgoyne.

In early days a number of distilleries flourished in the town, one of which was operated by Vincent Tuttle, who had a contraet for manufacturing 250,000 gallons of spirits for the use of the army. This was the largest distillery in town. Mr. Tuttle also at one time was the proprietor of a store at Trenton Falls.

From Thomas G. Hicks, living at " Joy's Hotel," south of Trenton village, the following faets were aseertained re- garding his father, Colonel Thomas Hicks : The latter per- sonage eame from Rhode Island about 1791-92, and located first in Utica. Ile helped to build John Post's store at that place, and ereeted for himself, on Whitesboro' Street, a small plank house, which is yet standing. He soon afterwards removed to Trenton village, where he built the house now occupied by Dr. Guiteau, about 1794, where he kept a hotel, the first one in the place. He occupied it about a year, and in 1795 moved to a farm in South Trenton, where he built a house and barn, the latter being raised July 12, 1795. He was himself a carpenter by trade. His farm in South Trenton is now owned by John James. Mr. Hicks was the first captain of militia from the town of Trenton, and was also the first colonel of the old 72d Regi- inent. He went with the militia to Saeket's Harbor during the war of 1812. His son, Thomas G. Hieks, is the only member of the family now living.

" Joy's Hotel," south of Trenton village, was built by David Wooster about 1840-42, and is now the property of Henry Joy. Mr. Wooster also built a steam saw-mill, to furnish plank for the road then being constructed. The mill was afterwards converted into a grist-mill, and has sinee been used as a cheese-factory. It is now abandoned.

The " Utiea and Remsen Turnpike," commonly known as the " Black River Road," was built before the war of 1812, the work being superintended by Colonel Thomas Hicks. The toll-gate in South Trenton was kept by Isaae Curry, Esq., at his hotel, which stood about a mile and a half south of the village of South Trenton. This hotel was well known during the war of 1812. Mr. Curry was a promi- nent man in the town and county, having been a member of the Assembly, besides holding several lesser offiees. Col- onel Hieks was long a director of this turnpike company, and superintendent of the road until his death. He and Cheney Garrett were partners in a general earpentering business, and Colonel Hicks only survived Mr. Garrett about two months. They were ever fast friends in life, and the death of one undoubtedly lastened that of the other.

The following copy of a letter, written in 1876 by War-

RESIDENCE OF MISS MARY R. WILLARD, TRENTON, ONEIDA CO, N.Y.

RESIDENCE OF FRANCIS A. WILLBUR, TRENTON, ONEIDA CO, NEW YORK.

LIT. BY LW EVER' B. PHILADEL PP. A.

LITH. BY L. H. EVERTS, PHILA PA

RESIDENCE OF J.J. DAVIS , SOUTH TRENTON , ONEIDA Cº N.Y

541

HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

ren C. Rowley, gives many interesting items of the early history of the town :

" Mr. Pomroy Jones, in his ' Annals of Oneida County,' says, in re- lation to the south portion of the town of Trenton, 'The first settlers were Colonel Thomas Hicks, John Garrett and his two sons, Cheney and Peter, Edward Hughes, and IIugh Thomas.' With Hughes and Thomas should be included the names Ephraim Perkins, John Curry, his two sons, Elias and Isaac, Owen Morris, Lemnel Barrows, Jedediah Brownell, Lueas Younglove, and James Francis. From good authority I learn that these persons settled in about the follow- ing order : John Garrett, Cheney and Peter, and Colonel Hicks, about 1792; Hugh Thomas, about 1797; Perkins, Curry, Morris, Barrows, Brownell, Hughes, Younglove, and Francis, from 1800 to 1810, in about the order in which their names occur.

" John Garrett was a Revolutionary soldier, born in Brantford, Conn .; Hicks came from Rhode Island. The latter, with Cheney and Peter Garrett, came to Utica about the same time; they entered into partnership as builders. (The articles of copartnership are said to have been quite a novelty, and I think they are now in possession of J. P. Garrett, of South Trenton.) The first work which they did, I think, was building the store of John Post, on the corner of Whites- boro' and Genesee Streets; this was in 1791. They also built a small house on the south side of Whitesboro' Street, near the corner of Charles Street. This house is still standing, and is conspicuous as being cornerwise towards the street, and somewhat eneroaching on the sidewalk. The Garretts very soon induced their father to move to this section, and all, with Ilieks, went to South Trenton. John Garrett bought of the Holland Land Company 104 acres lying north of and adjoining the Nine-Mile Creek, for which he paid four dollars per aere ; here he ereeted a log house. Ilieks bought of the Ilolland Land Company 200 acres about one-half mile north of Garrett; paid four dollars and a half per nere; he built a log house. A few years later he built a frame house, which is still standing. Ilicks subse- quently built and kept a hotel in Trenton, about where Dr. Guiteau's office now stands.# Being an adinirer of Cineinnatus, he named it the ' Cincinnatus House,' and had a large sign made on which was painted a portrait of the Roman patriot. It is said the Cincinnati Creek derived its name in this manner.

" After getting their father settled in South Trenton, Cheney and Peter Garrett came to Utica again, and for a considerable time worked at their trade. The only house that I know of as having been built by them at this time was a house on Genesee Hill, still standing as part of the buildings now occupied by C. P. Davis. About 1802 they returned to South Trenton, Cheney settling down on his father's placo, where he built a frame house (a hotel); the building is still standing, and is occupied by his son, John P. Garrett. Poter bought a farm and built a frame house about three-fourths of a mile south from South Trenton. The house still stands, occupied by his son Jedediah.

"John Curry emigrated from Scotland about 1765. IIe married, in Schenectady, Cornelia Post, sister of John Post; settled in Balls- ton, Saratoga Co., where seven children were born. In 1795, Isaac, then sixteen years of age, came to Utica, and was employed by his unele, John Post, as clerk in his store ; here he remained three or four years. Being delighted with this section, he induced his father to move here. They settled in South Trenton about 1800: purchased 100 acres of the Holland Land Company, at five dollars per aere, situ- ated south of and adjoining the Nine-Mile Creek ; here he built a log house. About 1807, Isaac built a hotel about ono mile south of South Trenton, on what was afterwards known as the Joy place. He re- mained here but a short time, when he returned to his father's farm. My grandfather was deeply interested in religious matters; he was active in building, and was a liberal contributor to the Presbyterian Church at Trenton; was also one of the foremost in building the union church at South Trenton, and during his wholo life the cause of re- ligion found in Major Curry (as he was familiarly called) a valuable advocate.

"As regards Perkins, Thomas, Morris, Barrows, and Brownell, I cannot learn much. I henr, however, on good authority, that Per- kins bought a large tract of land about one mile northwest from South Trenton. This was then regarded as the largest farm in this locality. A good portion of it now belongs to Henry Rhodes.

"Lueas Younglove, of English deseent, was born in 1765, in New Jersey. Settled at Cambridge, Washington Co., N. Y. Ile received from Governor George Clinton the commission of paymaster in the ' regiment of militia of the county of Alhany,' of which regiment his father, John Younglove, was lieutenant-colonel commanding. John was also colonel of a regiment during the Revolution. While on a . furlough at his home in Cambridge his house was attacked by Tories, who demanded of him to open the door and surrender. On his refusal they fired at him through the door, and severely wounded him, then elubbed him with their muskets, and left him, as they supposed, dead. IIe recovered, however, and in due time returned to his regiment. Lucas was a strong Presbyterian of the old school ; he was one of the first settlers of the church at Cambridge, of which Mr. Prime (father of the editor of the New York Obserrer) was then minister. He re- moved to South Trenton about 1808 ; settled in what is known as the Miller neighborhood. He was many years elder in the church at Trenton, and later years, deacon. Previons to the Trenton church having been built, he was in the habit of going with his wife on horseback to Holland Patent (six miles), and scarcely ever missed a service. Ile was an enthusiast on the subject of temperanee, and on this point Rev. Mr. Brace tells me that it was frequently the case that Mr. Younglove and himself inct at the book-store of Hastings & Traey, in Utica. On one occasion, about the year 1825, Mr. Young- love suggested that they three make an agreement to abstain from all intoxicating drinks, to which the others agreed. Mr. Brace said, ' Deaeon, draw up the agreement and sign it, and Hastings and I will add our names.' Hastings accordingly furnished the book (a little pass-book), the deacon wrote the pledge, and the three signed their names. Subsequently many other names from all parts of the county were added to it. Mr. Brace says he verily believes this to have been the first temperance pledge ever drawn up. Mr. Brace also credits the deacon with having originated (or at least introduced in these parts) the idea of setting apart a small patch of ground to be planted for missionary purposes, which he called the ' Lord's laud.' This was a very common thing with farmers, and many appropriated from their stock a cow or a pig, which were fattened and slaughtered, the pro- ceeds to be devoted to the same purpose.

"James Francis emigrated from South Wales; settled in South Trenton about 1806; bought a small farm about one-half mile north- east of the present village, on which he huilt a log house. Edward Hughes, born in Denbighshire, North Wales, came to America about the year 1802; thres months on passage; landed in Baltimore; lived in Philadelphia about three years; moved thence to Whitestown, and lived one year; thence to South Trenton, where he bought of Holland Land Company fifty aeres, at $8 per aere ; this land was situated about one-fourth of a mile south of the present village.

" Mrs. Loyd, daughter of Hughes, is still living, aged ahout eighty. She relates with great interest her early experience in this new country. She says, ' We all went to Trenton behind a yoke of oxen. When muy father bought the farm there was not sufficient cleared ground on which to ereet a log house ; but the neighbors turned out, and in twenty-four hours they had the trees down and the house up.' She says there was no store, no mill, no physician nearer than Trenton village. 'We usu- ally traded in Utica, going three or four times a year, at which times we laid in a stock of ne essaries. During the winter season our roads were so bad that we were completely hemmed in. Our mails were de- livered very irregularly by the postman, who came through from Utica on horseback. Each farmer usually kept one or two horses, with which to go to church, to mill, ete., but heavy work was done with oxen. I have frequently seen my father draw in hay on a sled, and with two yoke of oxen, and have seen hay drawn in on tree-tops. We were frequently annoyed with soldiers, who were marching to the northern frontier ; especially so with those who were said to be regulars. from camp at Greenbush. They usually camped for the night on the hanks of the Nine-Mile Creek, but annoyed the settlers greatly by insulting the ladies, shooting dogs, stealing chickens, etc. My father had a peculiar faculty of gaining their good-will by allowing them to sleep in his barn, and extending other little civilities. IIe therefore did not suffer quite as much as some of his neighbors.'

"In regard to Indians, I learn that there were none settled in this section nt this date. Large companies, however, of the Oncida tribe frequently eneamped on the banks of Nine-Mile Creek, on my grand- father's land, where they would remain for several weeks, industriously engaged in making baskets, brooms, and faney articles. Finally, when they had succeeded iu making sale of their goods, they would expend

# See previous statement.

542

HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

a large amount of their earnings for whisky, with which they would get drunk, and finally break up camp in a general row and fight, often inflicting fearful wounds upon each other with their knives, clubs, etc. My uncle (Orrin Curry) says that in the year 1830 Colonel Daniel Schermerhorn erected a hotel, soon after which he received a commis- sion as postmaster, and he (O. C.) had the honor of being his first deputy. Previous to this date we were obliged to go to Trenton for mail.

" The first merchant of South Trenton was my father, Warren D. Rowley, a native of Litchfield Co., Conn. He erceted a building and engaged iu the mercantile business in the year 1833. About the year 1800 a log house was erected on the hill on Cheney Garrett's land, in which place religious services were held on the Sabbath, and during the weck it was used as a school-house. The pulpit was usually sup- plied by missionaries, although at times they had resident ministers. During the times of great religious excitement, for want of more room than the house afforded, meetings were held in Cheney Garrett's log barn. Several of the older surviving inhabitants allude with great interest to the time when they sat on the hay-mow or the 'big beam' and listened to the service. In due course of time a frame house was substituted for the log one, and still later the capacity of this was greatly increase1. After the union church was built, the old school meeting-house was devoted exclusively to school purposes, and still stands.# Jones, in his ' Annals of Oneida County,' refers to the ex- cellent district school at South Trenton, and says that it was frequently termed ' the model school.' I think there is little douht that it was the best district school in the country. I could give the names of many men and women, now holding prominent positions in our institutions of learning, who received their education, and others who have taught, at this school. Prof. James S. Gardner, of Whitestown Seminary, left an unfinished term here about twenty-five years since, to accept the position which he still holds. Miss White, the present preceptress at Whitestown Seminary, also taught here twenty years ago.

"In this connection I feel that a few words should be said for my father, for although all the inhabitants were interested to a great de- gree in school matters, still I think that to him, more than to any other one, were they indebted for the high standard to which this as a district school attainel; and I know that hundreds of teachers, par- ents, and children will bear me witness to this fact. With an excel- lent education, a long experience in teaching, and now with a young family growing up, he readily realized the necessity of bringing this home-school to such a degree of perfection as to obviate the necessity of parents sending their sons and daughters from home to be educated. With this idea in view, he devoted his best energies to the work.

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History of Oneida County, New York, 1667-1878, Part 145

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

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