History of Oneida County, New York : with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 105

Author: Durant, Samuel W
Publication date: 1878
Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts & Fariss
Number of Pages: 920

USA > New York > Oneida County > History of Oneida County, New York : with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 105

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

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

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HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

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

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

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

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

"' Resolved, That the classification of this school hy the late trus- tees, in placing the males ond females in the same department, was inexpedient for this school.'

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

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

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

" At the annual school-meeting of the district, in 1861, a system of free schools was warmly advocated hy parties above named, and many others. A committee was appointed to perfect a plan for the proposed change, to be presented for approval at an adjourned meeting. Meet- ings were adjourned from time to time until Dec. 17, 1861, when a series of resolutions was offerel, and the draft of the proposed net of the Legislature presented, by Mr. Southworth, looking to the imme- diate establishment of free schools. The opposition was strong in the belief that school expenditures would be largely increased under the provisions of the proposed law, and, after much filibustering, finally succeeded in adjnurning the meeting for one month. No further record was made showing any action whatever in the same direction, the adjourned meeting having heen seemingly abandoned. In fact, no record exists from Oct. 15, 1807, until the 24th dny of June, 1869. Then a demand for a change in the system of public schools in the village found expression in a 'Citizens' Call' for & public mecting. at the conrt-house, to consider the 'expediency of establishing a union free school, with an academical department, within the limits of Dis- triet No. 5, of the town of Rome.' This was signed by forty-four of the leading citizens and the' trustees. 'A large and enthusiastic meeting convened at the time appointed, and free expressions of opinion were solicited. . To further the interests of the proposed change, and secure a larger attendance of the friends of the measure, the meeting was adjourned, on motion of E. L. Stevens, to meet at the court-house, July 3, 1869, at seven and a half o'clock P.M. The friends of free schools rallied in such. numbers at the adjourned

meeting that, immediately upon the reading and correction of the minutes of the previous meeting, the following resolution, offered by Mr. K. Carroll, was adopted by the decisive vote of 310 to 49, viz. :

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

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

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

" In conformity to this resolution, and on the same day, the acad- emy property, consisting of a building and lot on James Street, philo- sophieal and chemical apparatus, cabinet and library, was transferred to the Board of Education by a quit-olaim deed executed by the fol- lowing gentlemen, acting as a board of trustecs, viz. : Samuel Ward- well, J. M. Sturdevant, H. O. Southworth, A. H. Brainerd, ITenry M. Lawton, S. B. Roberts, C. W. Eliner, H. D. Spencer, R. E. Sutton, R. T. Walker, and George Merrill. '

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

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

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

"In 1870 the Liberty Street school building was thoroughly re- paired, and in September of that year the first and second floors were occupied for school purposes, the third floor having been abandoned as dangerous in case of fre'or accident. 'In January, 1871, the Thomas Street building was first occupied, having been erected and furnished during the previous year. In 1872, to secure increased facilities, at moderate expense, the academy was thoroughly repaired, and the seating capacity increased to accommodate 200 pupils. In the fall of the same year the schools were reorganized. The advanced pupils of the Liberty Street school were transferred to the academy, nnd relief was thus afforded to the crowded condition of the lower departments. In 1874 the, Vogt property, on the east side of South James Street, was purchased, the inside of the building remodeled, and put in thorough repair for school purposes. In September, 1874, the build- ing was first occupied by 2 teachers and 122 pupils. In January, 1875, the new building on Third Street, in East Rome, was opened, and the old one on Dominick Street passed into the hands of the common council for fire department purposes. In 1876 the West Rome building was repaired and improved, and new seats were added for the accommodation of 80 pupils."

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

The departments are : Primary, requiring four years to

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HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

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

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

Boys.

Girls.

Total.

Academy

103

180

Liberty Street School

365

355

720

Thomas Street School.

202

18t

383

James Street School ..

234

198

432

East Rome School.

103

197

West Rome School.

South James Street School

120

Grand Total.

2103

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

RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES.

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHI .*

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

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

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

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

" ROME, Sept. 25, 1800.

(Signed) " EBENEZER WRIGHT,

" GRACE WRIGHT, " JOSHUA HATHAWAY, " DANIEL W. KNIGHT."

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

# Historical sketch in the manual of this church for 1874.

Porene & Doty

R. S. DOTY was born in Norway, Herkimer Co., N. Y., on the 26th day of November, 1808. His paternal grandfather, Samuel Doty, was born in Saybrook, Conn., in 1730; raised a company of volunteers and joined the Revolutionary army, and served nearly all through the war, and with his son, Danforth Doty, who had enlisted in his company when only seventeen years of age, was in the battle of Saratoga, at Bemis' Heights, at the time of Burgoyne's surrender. He was a farmer by occupation.

His father, Danforth Doty, was born at Stephentown, Rens- selaer Co., N. Y., in 1760; was married in 1792, and settled in Russia, Herkimer Co., N. Y., then a wilderness ; raised a family of six children, four sons and two daughters, of whom the subject of this notice only survives.

In the year 1800 the father removed to Norway, in the same county, and where for many years he was a successful farmer, but by unfortunately lending bis name to assist friends lost his property. Was in the war of 1812, and marched for the defense of Sacket's Harbor. Unassisted pecuniarily, Mr. R. S. Doty went into the busy world at the age of seventeen, to meet its obstacles and carve out a fortune for himself. Impressed with the idea that education was the great lever to turn the scale in his favor, and having at that time had only six months' schooling in the district school, he began by working on a farm in the summer ; and, through the assistance of a kind lady, so applied himself to books by study- ing nights as to be able the following winter to teach a school, which he did in Oneida County.

The following spring, 1826, he entered a store at Rome as clerk, and remained there until 1830, when he commenced business on his own account, and his subsequent career has fully illustrated that his time in early life was not idly passed away, or his education and development of business capacity entirely neglected.

For some twenty years Mr. Doty remained in the mercan- tile business in Rome, a part of the time under the firm-name of Mudge & Doty, and during this time engaged also largely in dealing in real estate, and was active in carrying forward all public improvements for the benefit of the village. He Was a stockholder and director in one of the first plank roads built in the State (from Rome to Oswego), and director of the Bank of Rome for several years.

Mr. Doty always interested himself in the cause of educa- tion, and was a subscriber to the building fund of the Rome Academy, and connected with it as trustee, treasurer, and president of the board for many years. He assisted in build- ing the Presbyterian Church at Rome, and was several years one of its trusteea. He was connected with the Oncida County Agricultural Society as treasurer, and afterwards as its

president ; and in 1850 was one in the organization of the Ex- change Bank (now First National) at Rome, and was the first vice-president and manager for several years, during which time he had full charge in the erection of the gas-works of that place, and was for several years president of its board of directors.

In the year 1855, Mr. Doty went to Rochester, and was cashier of the Manufacturers' Bank of that city, and there he invested quite largely in manufacturing interests, which, during the panic of 1857, proved an unfortunate investment. In 1859 he was appointed deputy United States marshal under Marshal Jewett. In the year 1860 he removed to New York, and engaged in the produce commission business, which he carried on to a large extent, amounting to nearly one and a half million of dollars a year.

Thus Mr. Doty, as with other self-made men, rapidly rose from penury and want while a young man to become one of the largest operators of the metropolis in middle life; and while successful in his career financially, he did not forget the many who were striving against poverty in the country and the deserving and needy, but was largely interested in benevolent institutions, and contributed for their support. He was for ten years one of the first active managers of the National Temperance Society and Publication House ; was a member of the Chamber of Commerce; of the New York Historical Society ; president of the Wayside Industrial Home, and warmly attached to the day-school and mission Sabbath-school for poor children.

Ever kind to those needing aid, Mr. Doty, in trying to assist his friends, lost largely, and gave up his business in Now York, and took up his residence in the village of Oneida, Madison Co., where he now resides. It is worthy of note, in writing this sketch, that while Mr. Doty was in business in Rome, and president of that village, he had the honor of intro- ducing the world-renowned Kossuth ( who was then traveling through this country) to the people assembled to see him as he passed through ; and that, while a resident of New York, he served on the grand jury that first investigated the ring frauds of that city, and was for three and a half months one of the jury that found bills against William M. Tweed and others, and at the time advocated very earnestly the ques- tion of taking up these frauds and giving them a just but thorough investigation.

For his first wife he married, in 1832, Miss Cynthia Mudge, of Rome, N. Y., by whom he had eight children, five of whom still survive. His wife died in the year 1872. And for his second wife he married Mrs. Eliza, widow of the late Elon Comstock, of Rome, who was formerly editor of the Journal of Commerce of New York City.

397

HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

After an existence of over fifteen years, in which a large number of persons had been enrolled in church member- ship, it was voted, for financial reasons, that the second church should merge itself into the first church. To facili- tate this movement the pastors of the two churches-Rev. Drs. Haines and Boardman-resigned their respective charges, and the union was effected June 12, 1847. The church edifice belonging to the second church, situated on Washington Street, was sold to and lias since been occupied by the Welsh Methodist Church.

The reunited church was supplied during the vacancy in the pastorate by Rev. Messrs. George C. Lucas, George Bushnell, and W. F. Williams. Aug. 2, 1848, Rev. Wm. E. Knox was installed pastor. The present large and com- modious house of worship was dedicated Jan. 19, 1853.

The church having at a previous meeting voted to sub- stitute eldership for the standing committee, April 2, 1852, elected eight men to serve as clders on the rotary principle : two of them to serve one year, two to serve two years, two to serve three years, and two to serve four years.

Rev. Dr. Knox having received a call from the First Presbyterian Church of Elmira, resigned his charge Nov. 5; 1869. There were admitted to church membership during his pastorate 516 persons, 228 of them by profes- sion and 288 by letter. After the resignation of Dr. Knox the pulpit was supplied for nine months by Rev. Howard Kingsbury. Rev. Peter Stryker, D.D., began his labors as pastor in October, 1870, and was installed November 16 following.

Upon the list of members of this church are found the following names of persons who, np to 1874, had become ministers of the gospel,-some of whom are since deceased :

Rev. Albert Barnes, late pastor of the First Presbyte- rian Church, Philadelphia, Pa .; Rev. Thomas Brainard, D.D., Jate pastor of Pine Street Presbyterian Church, Phil- adelphia, Pa .; Rev. Horace Bushnell, missionary in Cin- cinnati ; Rev. Albert Bushnell, missionary in Gaboon, Af- rica; Rev. E. P. Goodwin, D.D., Chicago; Rev. Isaac P. Stryker, New York City ; Rev. John Barnard; Rev. Daniel H. Butts ; Rev. J. Mills Gillett ; Rev. Henry A. Sackett ; Rev. John J. Slocum ; Rev. Erastus Willard ; Rev. Alfred C. Lord; Rev. R. S. Billings ; Rev. Fraok A. Johnson.

The present pastor of this church is Rev. James H. Taylor. The membership, according to the last report to the General Assembly, was 483. A large and flourishing Sunday- school is sustained, with A. G. Benedict superintendent ; it has 11 officers and teachers, and an average attendance of 223. The church is located on the north side of Court Street, between James and Washington.

BAPTIST CHURCH.

From the records of this church the following facts are ascertained :

"To the summer and autumn of the year of our Lord 1817, several of the members of the different Baptist churches, residing in Rome and its vicinity, became impressed with the idea that it would promote the declarative glory of God, the honor of the Redeemer's kingdom, and their own happiness, if God, in his providence, should so order as to have a church formed amongst them."

A conference was held in the school-house at Wright Settlement Oct. 23, 1817, and the result " was that there

appeared to be ground to build upon, and material with which to build, without interfering with any other church or society."

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History of Oneida County, New York : with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 105

Author: Durant, Samuel W Publication date: 1878 Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts & Fariss Number of Pages: 920

Author: Durant, Samuel W
Publication date: 1878
Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts & Fariss
Number of Pages: 920