History of Oneida County, New York : with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 145

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 145

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"Mr. Sherman, in 1812, started an academy here, which was sue- eessful, and at which he ednented many who regard his memory with great affeetion and respeet. He was a fine scholar. Ile published a work on the philosophy of language, illustrated, much in advance of his time, nod is said to have been an eloquent preacher.

"From his first eoming, in 1805, Mr. Sherman was captivated hy the ravine and falls on the Canada Creck, and, impressed with the conviction that the singular beauty and wildness of this combiontiun of falls, forest, and ravine must ultimately make it n place of resort, he purchased of tho Holland Land Company, in 1822, 60 acres of land, including the first fall, or Sherman Fall as it is termned, und erected on the sito of the present hotel a small building which he called Rural Resort. At first his house was opened and occupied only during the day, but, in 1824, Philip ITone and his family, and Dominick Lynch, of New York, with his family, insisted that they should be allowed to remain over night, and Mr. Hone ioquired of Mr. Sherman why

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HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

he did not ereet a building of sufficient size and furniture to entertain guests. To this question Mr. Sherman replied by asking him if ho ever knew a minister whe had any money. Mr. Hene met this diffi- enlty hy tendering and making a loan of $5000; and thus we have our favorite Trenten Falls House, where resides our friend, Mr. Moore, with his wife, the daughter of Mr. Sherman, and with a family suff- ciently numerous always to meet his friends at the gate.

" Rev. Isaac B. Pierce, from Rhode Island, succeeded Mr. Sherman as pastor over the Unitarinn Church. He seems to have been much beloved by his people, and Mr. Jones, in his Annals, states that he preached here twenty-five years, to the entire satisfaction of his people. I cannot imagine a severer test. He had some of that sim- plicity of charueter and need of help which appeared in our Dutch settlers, and endeared them to their friends. He kept 13 cats, and bad names for them all ; and be clung with most commendable tenacity te knee-breeches and shee-huckles long after they were out of fashion.

"You have living in your neighborhood a man who was born before any white man ventured to think of settling here,-Vincent Tuttle, of Holland Patent. He was born in 1790, and now, eighty- six years old, with a firm step and sound memory, he is here to cele- brate with you this centennial Fourth of July. He came here in March, 1804. He tells me that at that time the clearing was only as far as the place where the Prospect Ruilroad Depot new stands; that all north of that, including the ground where Prospect Village now is, was covered by a dense forest; that he helped ent the road towards Prospect, in front of Mr. Wm. Perking' land, in 1807; that the village of Prospect was laid out by Colonel Mappa in 1811, and by him named Pros- pect; and that when he came here Colonel Adam G. Mappa resided where we are now assembled, but in the frame house huilt by Gerrit Boca; that in 1809, the Holland Land Company built, at a cost of $13,000, this stone mansion, which has witnessed many assemblages of distinguished people; that ia 1804 the stone grist-mill on the flat was in good order, but the dam had been carried away by a flood. This mill was built by Boon, at the expense of the Holland Company, to save the settlers the time and labor and difficulty of walking to Whitesboro' to get flour. The location of this dam and mill proving unfortunate, the Holland Load Company abandoned it, and built a new grist-mill on the Cincinnati Creek, a few rods below the location of Parker's present fouadry, at the foot of the first fall below the bridge. This company also built a saw-mill on the site of the present saw-mill. These milla the Holland Land Company sold to Peter Schuyler, who owned and ran them several years, and then sold out to Juines Parker, an important and early settler, who occupied and ran the mills many years, day and night, doing a large business, customers coming from Steuben, Remsen, and Boonville to have their grist ground. The farmers thea raised their own wheat and had it for sale. But uatil a grist-mill was built here they could obtain no flour without walking from here to Whitesboro'. The road was im- passable in any other way. There was no flour then to be purchased at stores. The whole community was intensely excited about the grist-mill. They could not rua the risk of the old location ; that must be abandoned, and a reliable mill built at once. This was done, and thereby a great trade was brought to Treaton. Tailors and boot and shoe makers had po shops, but went from house to house mend- ing aod making up for the year. The women of the country carded by hand the fleeces of wool clipped by the farmers. They spna aad made yaro, and then by hand-looms, such as is worked to-day by Mrs. Perkins, at Prospect, they wove their own dresses, which lasted for years, and were handed dowa from the mother to the youngest child ; and the farmer sowed flax, and when it was broken and made ready for the spinning-wheels, the women took it and made all their linen for household uses.

" You can readily imagine, therefore, what a blessing to the women was a cardiog- and fulling-mill; and so there was rejoicing in this Innd when, in 1806, a mao by the name of Ensign put up a carding- and fulling-mill on the Cincinnati Creek, just above the foundry. The falle on the creek opposite the Prospect Depot are sometimes called Ensiga Falls,-after the builder of this carding- and fulling- mill. He sold out to Timothy Powere, who built aew and larger works, and did a great deal of business for several years. ITis card- ing-mill stood where the present foundry is located. The first male child born in the towa was a son of James Parker, already mea- tioned ; he was named Adam, ofter Colonel Adam Mappa, although many supposed he was called Adam because he was the first man.

" George Parker, another son of James Parker, was the father of

Messrs. Parker whe now own the foundry. He was a very ingenious mechanic. He learned his trade with Shubael Storrs, a watch-maker in Utica, and theo returning to Trenton, built a foundry on the Cincinnati Creek, just above the present foundry. This was subse- quently turned into a grist-mill, which was a short-lived affair, and the building now remains unocenpied.

"Mr. Tuttle informa me that in the fall of 1804 Coptain John Bil- lings and Mr. James Donglas, of Westfield, Massachusetts, came to Trenton. They were merchants, and by marriage related to one another, and to Dr. Guitean. They were both Demcerats, and could live in harmony, and they entered into a partnership which lasted several years. Mr. Billings was oppointed postmaster in 1805, and held his position about fifty years, and accounted for every cent of the receipts of his office. Ho was born in 1781, and died in 1863.

"The grandfather of Mr. James Donglas was a native of Scotland. He became a planter on the island of Jamaica. He had two children, a son and daughter. ITis son, Thomas James DougIns, at the age of eighteen, and in the yenr 1758, came to America, 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. His son, James Douglas, was born at Westfield, Mass., in 1778, and, as I have already mentioned, came here in the fall of 1804, with Coptain 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 died in 1851, 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 Trentoo, which were carried on by the fol- lowing persons: Mappa & Remsen, Chapman & Cooper, Billings & Douglas, Brocks & Mason, ond Mr. Griswold.

" At that time there was no village of Prospect. There was Rem- sen, but no store there; Ilolland 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 Oneida County, was tributary to your village, and soine of your trade came over from Martinsburg.

" Mr. Tuttle states that Colonel Thomas Ilicks built the house in which Dr. Guiteau now resides. Colonel Hicks was no influential and setive citizen, and an earnest Federalist.

"The house io which Judge Vaoderkemp resided Mr. Tuttle thinke was built by him. This is quite likely, but the original poor, thia, cold building cannot now he recognized in the pretty and comfortable cottage occupied by Mr. Silebec.

"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 lins, except the first, or Sherman's Fall. He gave for it, in 1816, from $20 to $25 per acre, and sold it, in 1871, to Mr. Moore, for $100 per acre; but Mr. Moore occupied the land twenty years before he purchased it. Mr. Tuttle states thot prior to 1832 those who wished to see the Falls used to stop at the Backus Hotel,-now Mr. Skinner's house,-io your village, and then go to the ravine by a path across the fields and through soine gates. " About the year 1822, Joseph Bonaparte, who then lived in New Jersey, gave some money to Mr. Backus to blast out seme of the rock in the ravine, so as to make a safe walk up to the first fill. Bona- parte was delighted with the beauty of tho falls, and predicted that they would be of great nots; and to-day Mr. Moore's register will show the names of visitors from all parts of the world. Among the first settlers, Judge Joha Storrs held the office of supervisor eleven years, Peter Schuyler ten years, and William Rello eighteen yenrs. When we look back upon the early settlers, we wish we had the time to give the name and history of every one; but they number between two hundred and three bundred ns enrly as 1804.

"Mrs. Aan Jones was the daugher 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 :

540

IIISTORY 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. He took an active part in the Revolutionary war, in the naval service; was taken prisoner hy the British, and con- fined in Dartmoor prison. After the war he huilt and eominanded a vessel in the merchant service, trading principally with the Weet Indies. Becoming acquainted with Mr. Johnson, one of the proprie- tors of Holland Patent, named after Lord Holland, and which must not ba confounded with the land of the Holland Land Company, he was persuaded hy his friend, Mr. Fisk, to forsake his favorite element, and to join him and a Mr. Iluhbard in the purchase of one-quarter of thie Holland Patent. They all came an in 1797, finding an unbroken wilderness, except where a few families had made small elearinge.

" 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. Da Angelis as a garden. In this rode building the family of Judge De Angelie 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 elose this imperfect 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 recard.

" 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; hat no review can be considered complete which fails to show how large a share of the prosperity and virtue of the carly 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 womca 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 the 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 ralatives; nor do we forget the frech grave of Madame De Castro.

"I venture not beyond the mention of these namee, lest I trespass upon grounds which you may think too caered for this publie ocension, but I can say that the same general traits of character pervaded this community ; tho religious, tho 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 minde of their children patriotism and virtoe, 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 eon . fided to them. To restore integrity and purity to the American people, in publie and private, we look not to legislatures, not to governore 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 sitaplieity and economy of living of the early days of the republic.

" When I consider the past I have no misgivinge of the future. The history of the settlers of Trenton is the fulfillment of the worde 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 mny 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, came 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 Prospect village. Vincent 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 Prospect 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 contract 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 ascertained re- garding his father, Colonel Thomas Hicks : The latter per- sonage came from Rhode Island about 1791-92, and located first in Utica. He helped to build John Post's store at that place, and erceted for himself, on Whitesboro' Strect, a small plank house, which is yet standing. He soon afterwards removed to Trenton village, where he built the house now ocenpied 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. Hicks, 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 since been used as a cheese-factory. It is now abandoned.

The "Utica 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 offices. 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 carpentering business, and Colonel Hieks only survived Mr. Garrett about two months. They were ever fast friends in life, and the death of one undoubtedly hastened 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.

LITH BY LN EVERTS, PHILADELPHIA.

LITH. BYL H EVERTS, PRILA.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 carly history of the town :

" Mr. Pomroy Jones, in his ' Annals of Oncida County,' says, in re- Intion to the south portion of the town of Trenton, 'The first settlers were Colenel Thomas Hicks, John Garrett and his two sons, Cheney and Peter, Edward Hughes, and Hugh Thomas.' With Hughes and Thomas should be included the names Ephraim Perkins, Jeha Curry, his two sons, Elias and Isaac, Owen Morris, Lemuel Barrows, Jededinh Brownell, Lucas Younglove, and James Francis. From good authority I Icarn that these persons settled in about the fellow- ing order: John Garrett, Cheney and Peter, and Colonel Hicks, about 1792; IIugh Thomas, about 1797; Perkins, Curry, Morris, Barrows, Brownell, Hughes, Younglove, and Froncis, 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- bero' 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, nud somewhat encroaching on the sidewalk. The Garretta very soon induced their father to move to this section, and all, with Hicks, went to South Trenton. John Garrett bought of the Holland Land Company 104 neres lying north of and ndjoining the Nine-Mile Creek, for which he paid four dollars per acre ; bere he erected a log house. Hicks bought of the Ilolland Lond Company 200 neres about one-half mile north of Garrett; paid four dullars ond a half per ocre; he built a log house. A few years Inter he built a frame house, which is still standing. Hicks subse- quently built and kept a hotel in Trenton, nboot where Dr. Guiteou's office now stands.# Being an admirer of Cincinnatus, he named it the ' Cincinnatus House,' and had a Inrge sign made on which was painted a portrait of the Roman patriot. It is snid the Cincinnati Creek derivedl its name in this manner.

" After getting their father settled in South Trenton, Cheney and Peter Garrett came to Utien again, and for a considerable time worked nt their trade. The only bouse that I know of as haviog been built by them at this time was a house on Genesee Ilill, still standing aa part of the buildings now occupied by C. P. Davis. Ahout 1802 they returned to South Trenton, Cheney settling down on his father's place, where he built a frame house (a hutel); the building is still standing, and is occupied by his son, John P. Garrett. Peter bought a farm and built a frame house ahout 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. He married, in Schenectady, Cornelin 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 Utico, and wns employed by his uncle, John Post, os clork in his store; here he remained three or four ycars. Being delighted with this section, he induced his father to move here. They settled in South Trenton about 1800: porchased 100 acres of the Holland Land Company, at five dollars per nore, situ- ated south of ond ndjoining the Nine-Mile Creek ; here be built n log house. About 1807, Istac built a hotel about one mile south of South Trenton, on what was afterwards known ns the Joy plnce. 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 forcemest in building the union church at South Trenton, and during his whole life the enuss of re- ligion found in Major Curry (as be wus familiarly called) a valuable advocate.

" As regards Perkins, Thomas, Morris, Barrows, nud Brownell, I cannot learn much. I bear, however, on goed nuthority, 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 tu Henry Rhodes.

"Lucas Younglove, of English descent, was born in 1765, in New Jersey. Settled at Cambridge, Washington Co., N. Y. He received from Governor George Clinton the commission of paymaster in the 'regiment of militia of the county of Albany,' 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 wna attacked by Tories, who delaanded of him to open the door and surrender. On his refusal they fired at him through the doer, and severely wounded him, then clabhed him with their maskets, and left him, as they sopposed, dead. Ile recovered, however, and in due time returned to his regiment. Lucas wns 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 Observer) was then minister. IIe re- moved to South Trenton aboot 1808 ; settled in what is koown as the Miller neighborhood. He was many years elder in the church at Trenton, and Inter years, deacon. Previous to the Trenton church having been built, he was in the habit of going with his wife on horseback to Ilolland Patent (six miles), and scarcely ever missed a service. He was an enthusiast on the subject of temperance, and on this point Rev. Mr. Brace tells me that it was frequently the case that Mr. Younglove and himself met at the book-store of Hastings & Tracy, in Utica. On one occasion, nhout 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 snid, ' Deacon, 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 Dames. 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 nlso credits the dencon 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 Innd.' This was a very common thing with farmers, and many appropriated from their stock a cow or a pig, which were fattaned and slaughtered, the pro- ceeds to be devoted to the same purpose.

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History of Oneida County, New York : with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 145

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