History of Oneida County, New York : with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 112

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 112

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419

HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

AVA CORNERS.

This is a thriving village in the south part of the town, and has daily connection by stage-line with the city of Rome. It contains a hotel, a harness-shop, two blacksmith- and wagon-shops, a post-office, two stores, a Methodist Episcopal Church, and one physician (J. C. Frazier).

A post-office was secured here quite early through the efforts of a man named Bancroft, who was probably the first incumbent. It is said his name was reversed as a title for the office, and it was called " Croft Ban." However this is, it is now Ava, this name being given from the cap- ital of the Burmese Empire, in Asia, and the town derived its name from the post-office. The present postmaster is Fred. Mangang.

A Mr. Kingsbury erected the first hotel in the place, on the site of the one now owned by George Briggs. The frame of the latter building was erected in the summer of 1850, by a man named Bee, who sold out to Morse and Shaver, and they finished it, and conducted it for a number of years.

The old Joshua Colman house, in which the first town- meeting was held in 1846, is now occupied by Silas C. Morse. This gentleman clerked in the first store at the Corners, which was opened by Horace Hoyt in June, 1846.

Among those who have furnished information to us in this town are Silas C. Morse, Mrs. E. T. Mitchell, Jonathan Buck, members of churches, and others whose names are not recalled. Our thanks are due to all.

CHAPTER XXV.

BOONVILLE.

THE town of Boonville lies on the northern border of Oneida County, and is one of its largest divisions, contain- ing an area of 43,985 acres. It includes portions of Ad- gate's and Matchin's patents, and lies in an elevated region, the head-waters of the Mohawk and Black Rivers and Fish Creek being found within its borders. Black River flows in a northwesterly direction across the eastern portion. All the streams abound in fish, the speckled trout being quite common, and in the south part of the town is a large pond, whose outlet is a branch of Black River. The Black River Canal enters the town near the south west cor- ner, and passing northerly through the village of Boonville, leaves the town on the north and enters Lewis County. A feeder to this canal, nine miles in length,* has been constructed from the village to Williamsville or Forest- port, on Black River. The Utica and Black River Rail- way affords ample facilities for shipping and travel, and connects the two great valleys of the Mohawk and the St. Lawrence, both noted for their beauty, their historical in- terest, and the extent of their commerce. The Black River Canal enters, about two miles south west of Boonville village, the ravine through which flows the Lansing Kill, an import-

ant tributary of the Mohawk. This ravine is noted for its wildness, and is barely of sufficient width in places to admit the passage of the stream, canal, and tow-path, while on either side uplift the rugged walls of limestone to the height of 200 feet.

This town was originally covered with a dense growth of timber, the principal varieties being pine and spruce, and for many years a large amount of lumber was manufactured. At present the supply is limited, although there are yet several mills in the town.

The surface is uneven, and in places quite hilly. The soil is generally sandy, and in many places the surface is dotted with huge bowlders,-relics of the drift period,- whose sides have been worn smooth by constant motion for ages during the terrible grinding commotion attendant upon the glacial epochi, and by the action of the elements.

EARLY SETTLEMENT.

" The first settler of the territory now included in Boonville was Andrew Edmunds, who removed there in the spring of 1795. He was agent for Mr. Buon, t ur more properly for the Holland Company, and a number of men were in his employ or under his dircetion. During this season they erected a saw-mill, and made otber preparations for the settlement. A grist-mill was also commeneed, and the boards sawed, but in kiln-drying the boards so that they could be worked they unluckily took fire and were all consumed. This so much de- layed the grist-mill that it was not put in operation until the next spring."}

The year 1796 witnessed numerous arrivals of settlers, and among them we find the names of Luke Fisher and son, Phineas, Silas, and Martin Southwell, Asahel and Eze- kiel Porter, Aaron Willard, Jacob Springer, Jeptha King, Hezekiah Jones and son, a Mr. Stock well, and three young men named King. Many of these were employed by the Holland Company, while others selected farms and began clearing away the unbroken forest.

Jotham Snow, from Worcester Co., Mass., located in the town of Boonville in 1804; he had lived in Leyden, Lewis Co., since 1798 or 1799. The farm he located on in Boon- ville was three miles south of the village, and is now the property of George Tubbs. Mr. Snow's son, S. E. Snow, born in this town in 1809, has been engaged in mercantile business in the village since 1854.

Jacob Rogers, a native of Stonington, Connecticut, and later from Springfield, Massachusetts, came to Boonville with his family in March, 1796. He was a shoemaker and tanner by trade, and before coming here had worked a short time in Utica. He also, in 1795, worked for the company at Boonville. In 1799 he established a tannery at this place, and operated it several years, but was finally obliged to abandon that business on account of ill health, and sub- sequently moved upon a farm. He was a member of one of the early militia companies, and held a lieutenant's com- mission therein, but owing to his affliction he was not called upon to serve during the war of 1812-15. His son, Julius Rogers, who was born in the village in May, 1799, is still a resident, and has never lived a year away from it. The elder Rogers, when he first came, stopped in a house with John

# Stated in Dr. Hough's Gazetteer to be 12} miles.

t Gerrit Boon, who was the acting agent of the Holland Land Com- pany, which uwned a large traet of land in this town and vicinity. # Jones' Annals of Oneida County.

420

HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

Burgess and Hezekiah Jones until he could complete one for himself. In this neighborhood he built his tannery, and afterwards removed to the village. The house bere mentioned was located on Moose Creek, and occupied by Burgess and Jones with their families. They settled probably in 1796.

The first house between Boonville and Leyden was built by Aaron Willard in the latter part of 1796. It was a log structure, and in 1812 was replaced by a frame house. Mr. Willard was a native of New Braintree, Massachusetts, but previous to coming to Boonville had resided in the State of Vermont.

Deacon John Nichols settled within the present limits of the corporation of the village of Boonville about 1805-6, on the place now occupied by William Higby. Timothy and Thomas Jackson located here about 1807-8, and Pelatiah Ballon was also an early settler.

Elias Kingsbury and his brothers John, Jerry, and Elijah, and their cousin, Arehelaus Kingsbury, settled in the town of Boonville, some time between 1796 and 1799. They were from New England. Elias Kingsbury's son, Israel, is now a resident of the village, and Jerry Kings- bury, son of Archelaus, lives in the town. Elijah Kings- bury, one of the four brothers, afterwards removed to the State of Missouri, where he became a wealthy planter.

Joseph Hayes, from the town of Oppenheim (now Ful- ton), Montgomery Co., N. Y., settled on the farm now owned by his son, Jonas Hayes, in 1823. That part of town (the eastern) was at the time but sparsely settled. George Hilts lived next north of the Hayes place, and Ahaz Thayer and Ziba Kingsbury south. Mr. Thayer was probably the first settler in the neighborhood. When Mr. Hayes came the others had cleared some two or three acres each.

The first birth in what is now the town of Boonville was that of a daughter of Jacob Springer. The first deaths were those of Mr. Truman and Mr. Darrow, it being some- what uncertain who died first of the two. The first couple married were Henry Evans and Miss Elizabeth Edmunds, daughter of Captain Andrew Edmunds, the first settler.

TOWN ORGANIZATION-ELECTIONS, ETC.

Boonville was originally ineluded in Whitestown. In 1792 it formed a part of Steuben, and in 1797 was made a part of the town of Leyden. The first town-meeting for the latter town was held at the house of Andrew Edmunds, April 4, 1797, and the following officers were elected : Supervisor, Andrew Edmunds; Town Clerk, John Stormes ; Assessors, Asa Brayton, Jacob Rogers, Phineas Southwell ; Constables and Collectors, Jared Topping, Levi Hillman ; Poormasters, Bela Hubbard, Luke Fisher ; Commissioners of Highways, Asa Lord, Reuben King, Elisha Randal ; Roadmasters, Shelden Johnson, Isaac Southwell, Eliphalet Edmunds, Amasa King, Arehelaus Kingsbury ; Feoce- Viewers, Lilly Fisher, Asahel Huff (Hough ?), Timothy Burgess ; Poundmasters, Charles Otis, Joshua Preston.

It is thus seen that the portion of Leyden now included in Boonville claimed the lion's share of the offices, and this was the case until the town was divided. The Supervisors of Leyden, from 1798 to 1805, inclusive, were as follows,

viz. : 1798, Andrew Edmunds ; 1799, Phineas Southwell ; 1800, Asa Brayton ; 1801, Phineas Southwell ; 1802, Asa Brayton ; 1803, Silas Southwell; 1804, John Dewey ; 1805, Peter Schuyler.

At the last election in the town of Leyden before Boon- ville was set off it was

" Voted, That all neat cattle, swine, and horses, that sball be found in the road within three-quarters of a mile from a tavern, in the winter season, without a tender with them, shall be liable to im- poundago and a fine of thirty-seven and a half cents.

" Voted, That all swine shall run at large with sufficient yokes and rings, to be determined by the fence-viewers.

" Voted, That a bounty ef ten dollars shall be given for every scalp of a wolf that is taken in said towo on the west side of the Black River.

" Voted, That a bounty of six cents shall be given for every ben- hawk's head that shall be taken in the town of Leyden.

" Voted, That the next town-meeting be adjourned to the school- house near Joel Coe."

Before the " next town-meeting" was held, however, the town of Boonville was formed, and the first elcetion for its officers was held at the house of Joseph Denning, April 22, 1805. The following were the officers elected, viz. : Supervisor, Jacob Rogers; Town Clerk, Aaron Willard ; Assessors, Levi Hillman, Jotham Snow, Isaac Knight ; Constable and Collector, Elisha Grant ; Poormasters, Luke Fisher, Job Fisk ; Commissioners of Highways, Pelatiah Ballou, Pliny Morgan, Ebenezer Wheeler ; Fenee-Viewers, Lebbeus Ford, Daniel Buck, Ebenezer Wheeler; Pound- master, Pliny Morgan ; Pathmasters, George Dibble, John G. Post, Isaae Knight, Elijah Kingsbury, Josiah Hurlburt, Pelatiah Ballon, John Combs, Arehelaus Kingsbury, Ben- jamin S. Jones, Abner Wood, Hezekiah Turner.

The Supervisors of Boonville from 1806 to 1878, inclu- sive, have been the following-named persons : 1806, Peter Sehuyler; 1807, Job Fisk ; 1808-9, John Post; 1810- 21, Martin Southwell; 1822-24, John Dewey; 1825, Martin Southwell ; 1826-29, Henry Graves; 1830, Jobn Dewey; 1831-36, Henry Graves; 1837-39, Philip M. Schuyler ; 1840-44, Stephen Ward; 1845-46, William S. Jackson ; 1847-51, Nelson C. Graut; 1852-53, Wil- liam S. Jackson ; 1854, Joseph R. Tharratt; 1855-56, William H. Cole; 1857-58, J. Earl Hurlbert; 1859, Justus V. Kent ; 1860, Griffith J. Griffiths; 1861, Jo- seph R. Tharratt ; 1862-64, George B. Anderson ; 1865- 67, Samuel Johnson ; 1868-69, Evan J. Evans ; 1870-71, Nathaniel Sargent ; 1872, Robert Wilson ; 1873, Samuel Johnson ; 1874-75, Robert H. Roberts; 1876-78, H. Dwight Grant.

The remaining officers for 1878 are : Town Clerk, Fer- dinand V. Graves; Assessor, Stephen Sherman; Justice of the Peace, Jerome F. Hilts ; Collector, Edwin L. Burr ; Town Auditors, Job W. Fisk, Morey A. Platt, Harvey J. Lewis; Overseers of the Poor, William Wenweis, Earle Ruddes ; Commissioner of Highways, Hardin Buek ; Con- stables, George Davis, Thomas Sykes, James H. Sacket, Henry Ruth, Evan W. Jones; Game Constable, E. W. Halliday ; Inspectors of Election, Distriet No. 1, George W. Wentworth, Elbridge G. Palmer, George O. Bridgman ; Distriet No. 2, Matthew H. Platt, William Davis, Henry Phillips; District No. 3, George Graff, William J. Ber-

Shb .. Puffan

The Traffarn family is of French origin, and at an early date emigrated from the old country to the State of Rhode Island, and afterwards removed to this State and located in Schoharie County, where this gentleman was born, in the town of Sharon, April 14, 1798. About the year 1820 he emigrated with his father (whose name was Cromwell, and had been a soldier in the Revolutionary war) to Alder Creek, town of Boonville, Oneida Co., where his father died at an advanced age. He was married to his first wife January 29, 1834, by whom he had two children, both of whom died in infancy. His wife departed this life May 5, 1838. He after- wards married, April 26, 1840, Hannah W., daughter of Jotham and Sarah E. Snow, who came from Mas- sachusetts, and were among the early settlers of Boonville. Their daughter was born in that town. By this union he had four children, two of whom are living,-Sarah Ann, born Jan. 23, 1841, and married to the late Rev. M. C. Fisk, of Constable- ville, Lewis Co., Sept. 18, 1860; Mary Jane, born April 7, 1847, and is married to F. S. Utley, of Forestport. His second wife died Oct. 3, 1847. Mr. Traffarn, thinking it an impossibility for him

to properly educate and rear his motherless daughters, was again married, March 15, 1848, to Susan Amelia, daughter of Laurentius and Susan Snow ; she was born in Boonville Nov. 20, 1824; they had but one son, Thomas Ellsworth, born Sept. 14, 1861. Mr. Traffarn was politically a member of the Republican party, and held various town offices, being assessor for a number of years. He was a member of no particular church, but subscribed liberally to the support of all. He ended a busy life Dec. 18, 1870, and thongh he had never become noted in war or peace, the Bible speaks of a time in ancient Israel " when men were famous, according as they had lifted up the axes on the thick trees." Taking the standard of that time for this, few persons are more famous than Thomas Traffarn; for few persons have had more to do with felling the woods and reducing the land to cultivation. To have been a pioneer in the country is a fame that cannot be repeated ; therefore, let us honor the memory of those who, amidst toil, hardships, and deprivations, have rescued the country from a wilderness, and given us the beautiful farms which are spread out around us on every side.

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HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

gold, Andrew Whiter ; Sealer of Weights and Measures, Joseph Palmer.

During the second war with Great Britain the excite- ment in this town was intense, and its inhabitants were filled with patriotic ardor. A special town-meeting was held on Saturday, July 18, 1812, at which it was

"Toted, That the towo of Boonville send to the Governor of the State of New York for arms and ammunition.

"Voted, That the surplus moneys in the hands of the towo clerk, amonnting to soventeen dollars and sixty-eight eents, shall he appro- priated to pay the expense of transporting arms and ammunition.

"Voted, That Captain Ebenezer Wheeler, Lieutenant George Man- chester, Pelatiah Ballon, Ezra Adams, and Peter Sehuyler, Esqs., be a committee to carry the above- mentioned hnsiness into effect."

The town lost none of its patriotism in the years that clapsed after the last struggle with Great Britain, and when in April, 1861, the loud echoes of the guns which belched their fiery vomit at Fort Sumter were heard in the north- land, the sons of patriotic sires were up and ready for the strife. The five Oneida regiments (14th, 26th, 97th, 117th, and 146th) had many representatives from this town, and not all returned to the homes they left to defend their country from an ungrateful offspring. The 97th Regiment rendezvoused at Bonnville, and is well remembered by her citizens ; and numerous other regiments, which won honor and fame on many a well-fought field, had in their ranks brave sons of this town.

SCHOOLS.

The earliest schools were undoubtedly taught at the vil- lage, which for some time bore the name of Kortenacr, after a distinguished individual in Holland. This name was suggested by Mr. Boon, but it seemed that the inhabitants were more in favor of naming the village and town after this gentleman himself, and it was therefore done.

About the year 1802 a school was taught in the village, one of the first teachers being Miss Lydia Buckley, after- wards Mrs. John Post. She taught in a private house, which stood at the corner of Schuyler and Post Streets.

A log school-house was built about 1807, on what is now called West Street, and among its carly teachers were a Mr. Higby, of Turin, Lewis Co., and Nathan Wheeler. Before this building was erected, a frame edifice had been put up for the joint use of a school-house and town hall, in which Mr. Davis taught. This building was burned. In 1817 a stone school-house was erected near the present site of S. C. Thompson & Co.'s bank, on Schuyler Strect.

In the eastern part of town the first school-house was a log building, which was erected about 1822, a short dis- tance north of the present residence of Jonas Hayes. Among the carly teachers in this house was an cstimable young lady named Mary Johnson. She was afterwards taken sick, and died on the 2d of February, 1828, aged twenty-two years. She lies in the cemetery west of the Hayes farın.

A frame school-house was afterwards erected in what is now the corner of Jonas Hayes' garden, and finally moved nearer to Hawkinsville. The present frame building is the third one in the district.

The schools of the town and village of Boonville are in excellent condition, and no pains are spared to make them cqual to any in the county. A substantial two-story stone

school building was erected in Boonville previous to 1850, and the other villages and districts in town are all com- fortably provided for.

RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES.

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, BOONVILLE.

In the summer of the year 1805 Rev. David (Daniel ?) Smith, a missionary sent out by the Massachusetts Mission- ary Society, organized at the village this church, which was known as the " Congregational Church of Boonville." The original members numbered five males and four females, and the small congregation was supplied by missionaries from New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Connecticut, religious meetings being kept up when there was no preach- ing. The first revival occurred in 1809, at which time Revs. Ingalls and Seth Burt labored here as missionaries. Rev. James Murdock, of Turin, Lewis Co., preached here occasionally, and previous to 1821 Rev. Ruel Kimball, of Leyden, officiated as stated supply. Since then the follow- ing pastors have been in charge, viz. : Revs. David Har- rower, Ira Manly, Edward Barnes, Ruel Kimball, R. R. Demming, E. S. Hunter, D. D. ; J. H. Northrup, E. S. Barnes, D. Williams, W. H. McGiffert, E. N. Manley, and the present pastor, Rev. J. R. Lewis, who has had charge since September, 1867. The membership of this society, April 11, 1878, was 208. A Sabbath-school is sustained, with a membership of about 200; its superintendent is Henry W. Bentley. It possesses a good library and a cabi- net-organ, while a fine pipe-organ is used in the church. The present frame house of worship was built about 1861-62, at a cost of about $9000. Previous to this time the con- gregation held its meetings in the old union church, erected in 1827 .*

BAPTIST CHURCH, BOONVILLE.

" The Boonville Baptist Church was organized Feb. 3, 1810, by Elder Joho Upfold. It consisted of seventeen memhers,-ten males and seven females. The first pastor of the church was Elder Timothy Day, who filled the pastorate three years. Up to 1826 the church held its meetings in the sebool-house in the village and in private dwellings. In that year they ereeted a respectable aod commodious house of worship."t

This church was a frame structure, and now stands at the forks of the road north of the village; occupied as a dwelling and owned by Dennis Miller, a prominent member of the society. The present brick church was built in 1866, at a cost of about $14,000. Among the early pas- tors were Elders Samuel Marshall, Charles Clark, Norman Chase, A. D. Truman, John Hitchcock, William Thompson, Perley P. Parsons, and Eliada Tuttle. At the time these notes were taken (April, 1878) the church was without a pastor, the term of the last one, Elder B. N. Sperry, having expired in the winter previous. The membership at present is about 120. A flourishing Sunday-school is sustained, with A. Reynolds as Superintendent. It has an average attendance of about 60, including teachers.

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, BOONVILLE.

This society was organized about 1820, and there was also another Methodist class in the Wheeler neighborhood,

# See Methodist Episcopal Church history. t Jones.

422

HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

near Black River. In 1827 a union church was built by the Methodists, Presbyterians, and Universalists, and some years afterwards the Methodists disposed of their interest to the Presbyterians, and about 1836 built a neat frame church, which was used until 1873, when the present fine brick edifice was erected. The old church now con- tains two stores, the printing-office, and a hall used by the Post G. A. R. The new church cost, including furniture, etc., about $15,000. The membership of the society is about 300. Its present pastor is Rev. O. C. Cole, appointed by Conference in the spring of 1878. Eli Mccluskey is Superintendent of the Sabbath-school.

GERMAN LUTHERAN CHURCH, BOONVILLE.

This society was organized in 1869, through the instru- mentality of N. Schweinsberg and Jacob Jacobs, and originally consisted of five members. Its first pastor was Rev. Mr. Heinle. The church, a frame building, was rented in 1872, at a cost of about $2700. Previous to this time meetings were held in Cole's and Hayes' halls. The membership on the 11th of April, 1878, was 22. The pastor is Rev. John Weaver, from West Leyden, who supplies the pulpit every alternate Sunday. The present officers of the society are : President, Jacob Volmer ; Trus- tees, Frederick Eppel, Jacob Preiser, David Karlon ; Sec- retary, B. Nold. Its prominent members number among them Messrs. Schweinsberg and Jacobs, who have furnished most of the funds with which to build and sustain the church. The society has been liberally assisted by the citizens of the village in the way of patronizing socials, picnics, festivals, etc., and is in as good condition as could be expected from its limited number of members.

TRINITY (EPISCOPAL) CHURCH, BOONVILLE.

This parish was organized about 1855 by Rev. Edward H. Jewett, who became the first rector. The present fine brick church was built within two or three years afterwards, at a cost of about $5000, on a lot donated for the purpose by P. B. Post. The present number of communicants is about 75. There is no settled clergyman, but Rev. R. G. Quennell, of Constableville, Lewis Co., holds regular services here. The church is located on Selinyler Street, in the western part of the village.

A ROMAN CATHOLIC SOCIETY

holds meetings in Boonville, in charge of Rev. Father T. Harty, and contemplates building a new church. Its membership at present is not large.

GERMAN LUTHERAN CHURCH, HAWKINSVILLE.

The frame building occupied by this society was built in 1861, at a cost of about $1500, of which amount Philip Graff furnished a large proportion. The original membership of the society was 40, and its first pastor Rev. Mr. Classen. The present membership is about 100, and its pastor Rev. Mr. Weaver. The Sunday-school has a membership of about 50, and is in charge of Peter Wingard, Superintend- ent, and Miss Catharine Shaffer, Assistant. The church stands in the western part of the village.

METHODIST PROTESTANT CHURCH, HAWKINSVILLE.

Society organized some twelve years. Rev. Earl Rudes, of Hawkinsville, was its pastor for three years, and it is at present in charge of Rev. J. I. Cook, of Lowville, Lewis Co. Present membership about 35. Church, frame build- ing, in north part of village.

METHODIST EPISCOPAL SOCIETY, HAWKINSVILLE.

Organized a short time previous to the above. Has no church edifice, but holds its meetings in the school-house. Its membership is small. The pastor for 1877-78 was Rev. James Stowell.

ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH, HAWKINSVILLE.

This society was organized and the present frame church built about 1860-61, the latter not being entirely completed until 1863-64. The first clergyman who preached here was Rev. Mr. Heimo. No regular meetings have been held since the spring of 1877. The membership is small, and the society has at present no pastor. The church is valued at from $1500 to $1800.

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History of Oneida County, New York : with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 112

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