History of Oneida County, New York : with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 161

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 161

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One of the first settlers in this neighborhood was Silas Jewell, who came in 1822-23 and built the hotel now standing. The latter is now the property of F. W. Jewell.

John Bedell, from Greene Co., N. Y., settled here early on the farm he now occupies, his first residence being on the corner of the village diagonally opposite that of his son, J. J. Bedell. The elder Bedell, who is now eighty-four years of age, opened the first store in the village in 1838, on the corner opposite the grist-mill, in the building now occupied as a dwelling by Jacob King. There is now but one store in the place, owned by Z. J. White,-a second one, which occupied the site of Mr. Bedell's first dwelling, having been burned down early in 1878.

Probably the first settler here was Eliphalet Jewell,- not related to Silas Jewell. He built the present grist-mill previous to 1817, and an Englishman named Merrill after- wards built the saw-mill, which is still standing .. The grist- mill is now the property of Ira Page.

West Vienna post-office was established about 1838-39, and first kept by Silas Jewell, at his hotel. Previous to that time the mail for this neighborhood was sent to Mr. Jewell for distribution by the postmaster at Vienna, or "South Corners." The present incumbent of the office at this place is Zenas J. White.

FISH CREEK LANDING

is a small village on Fish Creek, south of Vienna village, and contains one store, a blacksmith-shop a short distance up the creek, and a two-story building erected for a school- house, church, and public hall combined. Before the con- struction of the Rome, Watertown and Ogdensburg Railway this place was the depot from which most of the lumber manufactured in this region was shipped. It was trans- ported from as far as Williamstown, Oswego Co., and as high as 2,000,000 feet have been boated away from here in a single year. Pine lumber was manufactured princi- pally, the mills at the " South Corners" turning out a large amount. S. A. Covell, Sr., at one time owned a lumber- yard at the Landing.

George Covell, from the town of Lanesboro', Berkshire Co., Mass., came to this place in 1807, and settled on Wood Creek, about half a mile below the Landing, just off the Fish Creek Reservation. When the State purchased that Reservation of the Oneidas and placed the land in market, Mr. Covell purchased a lot farther up and moved upon it. He and his brother William came here in February, 1807, and purchased a place together, which they divided between them. Mrs. George Covell's father, John Babbitt, a vet- eran of the Revolution, during which he served seven years, followed them the succeeding June. Indians were here then in large numbers, and Stephen A. Covell, Sr., now living at the Landing, says he has seen a thousand of them together, " following along, squaws and all, one after the other." Two others of Mr. Covell's children are living here,-George W. Covell (born in the place) and Mrs. L. S. Haskins. When the Covells settled there were then three families living in the vicinity, who had located a short. time previous. They were Elisha Freeman, a Mr. Buell,

and a Mr. Graves. The latter sold his "betterments" to William Covell, and Buell disposed of his to John Babbitt. They each had a log house built and about two acres. cleared. Freeman afterwards sold out and removed to Cattaraugus County.

" Durham boats" were run until the middle section of the Erie Canal was completed, sometimes coming from as far west as Canandaigua Luke, and making their way, through Oneida Lake, Wood Creek, and the Mohawk to Schenectady. They always sailed through the lake, and when the wind was fair sails were used also on the Mohawk ; otherwise sweeps were necessary going down and setting- poles coming up.

For information in this town we are indebted to Henry N. Halstead, Otis Wheelock, S. A. Covell, Sr., John Bedell, F. W. Jewell, David Pike and wife, and many others, including pastors and members of churches and numerous persons not now recalled to mind.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH.

JOHN D. YAGER. -

John D. Yager was born Aug. 31, 1809, in the town of Greenbush, Rensselaer Co., N. Y. He was the second child in a family of nine children-seven sons and two daughters-

Photo. by Hovey & Brainerd.

John & yagen -

of David and Polly Yager, and grandson of Solomon Yager, David Yager was an extensive and prosperous farmer, and his son, the subject of this notice, was reared to that occu- pation, living with his father till about the age of twenty- two, when he purchased a farm and entered upon the life of an agriculturist on his own account.

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

FARM & RESIDENCE OF SAMUEL FAULKNER, VIENNA, N. Y. ( FARM CONTAINING 350 ACRES. )

PHOTO. BY HOVEY, ROME.

Henry I, Reid M.C.

RESIDENCE OF HENRY G. REID, M.D. WESTERNVILLE, ONEIDA CO N. Y.

LITH BY L M. EVERTS PHILA.

593

HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

In 1832 he married Cynthia Rowley, the youngest child of Seth Rowley, a Revolutionary soldier, who was engaged in the siege of Fort Stanwix (now Rome, N. Y.), and had by this marriage the following-named children : Mellissa S., born Oct. 20, 1832, died Dec. 12, 1847; Sarab M., born Dec. 14, 1833, died March 19, 1869 ; Phebe E., born Dec. 24, 1837, died March 20, 1841 ; Emma A., born May 9, 1839, died March 26, 1841; Emma O., born Oct. 25, 1845, married Jesse T. Fish, May 30, 1867, who died June 7, 1868; Oscar A. and Orrin J., twins, born May 17, 1850; both died the same year and month,-the former October 3, and the latter October 9.

In October, 1849, Mr. Yager removed from Otsego County to the town of Vienna, Oneida Co., and settled upon a farm, where he resided up to the year 1868, when he disposed of his place, and has since resided in the village of McConnellsville.

In 1856, he married for his second wife Maria Swart, daughter of Peter and Lucy Swart, of Jefferson, Schoharie Co., N. Y., who was the eldest child in a family of ten chil- dren, all deceased except three, one of whom is living in Delaware County, and one in Cherry Valley, Otsego Co., in this State. Mr. Yager has no children by this latter marriage.

He has been an active and enterprising business man, and his integrity and solid traits of character have won for him a large share of the esteem and confidence of his fellow- citizens, who have intrusted him with various situations of responsibility, the duties of which he has faithfully dis- charged. A Democrat in politics, lie has ever been an earnest supporter of the principles of his party. He held the office of assessor of his town three years, having been elected in 1869, and in 1875 he was elected to the office of excise commissioner. In his religious belief he has been a Baptist, and always a liberal contributor to the cause of religion. His life has been one of constant effort and per- severance.

CHAPTER XLV.

WESTERN.

WESTERN lies north of the centre of the county, and includes an area of 33,055 acres. The original patentees of this town were Jellis Fonda, John Lansing, Jr., Ray & Lansing, John Taylor, Judge Oothoudt, Goldsbrow Banyer, Lush & Stringer, Stephen Lush, Thomas Macbin, and Thomas and William Burling. Fonda's Patent, containing 40,000 acres, was purchased of the original patentee, Jellis Fonda, by John Lansing, Jr., George Clinton, William Floyd, and Stephen Lush, and this patent now constitutes portions of the towns of Western, Lee, Floyd, and Steuben, and the city of Rome.

The streams which water this town are the Mohawk River, Lansing Kill, Stringer's Creek, Big Brook, and others of less importance. Those mentioned furnish fine power, and numerous mills have at different periods been erected upon them. The soil in the valley of the Mohawk is decp and fertile in its alluvial nature, and spring evinces

its love for the locality by first unfolding the delicate petals of the flowers and breathing warmth over the meadows before any other part of the town is yet freed from the icy bonds of winter. It is said to be a remarkable fact that fogs are never known in the Mohawk Valley in this town, while the dews are always heavy, so that with but little rain-fall an abundant supply of grass and grain is produced. The remainder of the town is very hilly, but the soil is very good for grass and grain, though better for meadow and pasturage. Very good quarries of limestone are found, from which an excellent building-stone is taken.

The patentees of this town refused to convey a title to settlers upon their lands, the most common method being to give leases in perpetuity, or for three lives, and receive annual rents, and the evil effects of this system were made manifest here as well as in all other localities where the practice was adopted. For many years the inhabitants labored under its disadvantages. Roads were constructed early in the settlement of the town, and late in the fall of 1789 the few inhabitants built a bridge across the Mohawk River,-said to be the first to span that stream between its source and its mouth .* Not a plank nor stick of hewn timber was used in its construction, and yet it stood for a great many years, buffeting wind and storm, and withstand- ing the freshets so common in this stream.

ORGANIZATION, FIRST TOWN-MEETING, ETC.

The town of Western was formed from a part of Steuben, March 10, 1797. Lee was taken off in 1811, leaving it with its present boundaries. The first town-meeting was held at the house of Erckt Sheldon, on the 4th of April, 1797, when the following officers were elected : Supervisor, John Hall; Town Clerk, George Brayton ; Assessors, Asa Beckwith, Jr., Daniel Spinning, Charles Offord; Collector, William Satchell; Poormasters, Joshua Wells, Nathan Bar- low ; Commissioners of Highways, John West, Daniel Reynolds, Daniel Eames; Constables, William Satchell, Richard Smith ; Fence-Viewers, Lemuel Beckwith, Ezekiel Cleaveland, Martin Miller ; Poundmaster, Jonathan Swan ; Commissioners of Schools, Isaac Aldin, Edward S. Salis- bury, Jonathan Swan.

The Supervisors of this town since 1798 have been the following persons, viz .: 1798-99, John Hall; 1800-24, Henry Wager, Esq .; 1825-31, Benjamin Rudd; 1832- 33, Arnon Camstock ; 1834, Hervey Brayton ; 1835-39, David Utley ; 1840, Henry Wager, Jr .; 1841-48, David Utley ; 1849-51, George Hawkins; 1852-54, Griffith W. Jones; 1855-57, John Hawkins; 1858-60, Squire Utley; 1861-62, Squire W. Hill; 1863-69, Nathaniel D. Bron- son ; 1870, Joseph French; 1871, Nathaniel D. Bronson ; 1872-73, Joseph French ; 1874-75, Ephraim Dillenbeck ; 1876-77, Joseph French ; 1878, J. V. Gue. The remain- ing officers for 1878 are: Town Clerk, Robert H. Hews, M.D .; Justice of the Peace, George H. McMullen ; As- scssor, Samuel H. Austin; Commissioner of Highways, John Reinhuber; Overseer of the Poor, John Hawkins;

# It has been claimed that the first bridge over the Mohawk was erected at Old Fort Schuyler (Utica), in 1792; but if this was erected as stated, it takes precedence.

t Also given Ezekiel. The above is from the town records.

594

HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

Collector, Charles Carmichael ; Constables, John W. Hughes, William Rowe, John Thornton, and Hiram G. Bullock; Inspectors of Election, David French (2d), Jacob P. Mowers, and Israel White; Town Auditors, Joseph French, William Furguson, and Harvey Paddock ; Excise Commissioner, Eliakim Hicks.

THE SETTLEMENT

of the town of Western was begun in 1789, by Asa Beck- with and his four sons, Asa, Jr., Reuben, Wolcott, and Lemuel. Henry Wager soon followed them, the same year. These were the earliest settlers in the county north of Fort Stanwix, and located upon the Mohawk River in this town, and at the fort were their nearest neighbors, eight or ten miles away. They were soon followed by others, and the settlement grew quite rapidly. The fertile lands along the Mohawk were first taken up, and when the valley was filled the neighboring hills received attention. Whatever grain or potatoes were necessary for seed had to be procured at the German Flats, to which place Henry Wager and Asa Beckwith went on foot, and returned with each a bushel of seed-potatoes upon his back. These were the first potatoes planted in town, and Mr. Wager's returns from his were seventy bushels in the fall.

The Black River Canal passes across this town, follow- ing the Lansing Kill and the Mohawk River, and entering from this the city of Rome.

General William Floyd, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, and who was a large land-owner in this town, settled here in 1803, having purchased in 1784. The general was born at Mastic, on Long Island, Decem- ber 17, 1734. He was early chosen an officer in the militia of Suffolk County, and eventually rose to the rank of major-general. He was soon after elected a member of the Provincial Assembly, and in 1774 was sent as a dele- gate from this province to the first Continental Congress. In 1777 he was elected a Senator, and September 9, of that year, took his seat in the first constitutional Legislature of this State. October 15, 1778, he was appointed a member of Congress by the Legislature, and was re-appointed Octo- ber 14, 1789, in conjunction with Ezra L'Hommedieu and Sloss Hobart. When the British took possession of Long Island his family fled for safety to Connecticut, and during their absence the property was greatly damaged by the in- vaders. The general remained an exile from his estates for nearly seven years. He is buried in the old cemetery at Westernville, where a stone to his memory bears the following inscription :

"In memory of General William Floyd, who died August 4, 1821, aged eighty-seven years. He was horn at Mastie, on Long Island. He was an ardent supporter of his country's rights. He was honored in life for the sincerity of his patriotism, and the Declaration of Inde- pendence will be to his memory an imperishable monument."

General Floyd labored faithfully for the welfare of the colonists, and his efforts in their behalf caused them to raise him to positions of distinction. He was a person of great generosity, and many anecdotes are told of him during his residence in this town. When he removed here from Long Island he brought with him a considera- ble number of slaves of both sexes. They became free

when the abolition-law went into effect in this State. The stories of Long Tom and the measly pig, and several others, have been so often told that it is not necessary to repeat them here. Judge Jones has preserved them in his interesting annals of the county, and various other writers have incorporated them in their works.

William Floyd, a grandson of the general, now living at Westernville, removed to that village in 1816. He is a native of New York City. After taking up his residence here he attended to his grandfather's business until the death of the latter, in 1821, and at one time was engaged in the mercantile business at the village. He has become aged and feeble, and cannot, as in his younger days, per- sonally oversee the various portions of the estate, and in consequence it is somewhat dilapidated in appearance, while the tomb of the statesman is sadly neglected, and the memorial tablets have fallen from their places. The large frame house which the general began to build in 1802, and finished and moved into in 1804, is yet stand- ing, apparently as sound and in as good condition as ever. It is now owned by his great-granddaughters,-the daugh- ters of William Floyd, above mentioned.

In the cemetery in the rear of the Presbyterian Church at Westernville are buried many of the early settlers of the town, and those who became prominent within it, as also many, not among the pioneers of the locality, who lived to a great age in this beautiful region in the sunny Mohawk vale. Of those whose remains repose here a few may be men- tioned :

William Martindale, of Petersham, Mass., came to Oneida County in 1817; died Feb. 12, 1870, aged 92.

Lydia, his wife, died Jan. 12, 1851, aged 74.

Henry Wager, died Aug. 9, 1840, aged 76.

"He was one of the first.settlers of this county, having lived on the farm where he died over fifty years."-Inscription.

Letetia, his wife, died March 29, 1839, aged 74.

John Hawkins, died - 1810, aged 40.

Bridget, his wife, died March 19, 1853, aged 71.

Joseph Halleck, Esq., died June 23, 1857, aged 73.

"The above Joseph Halleck, son of Jabez Halleck, and grandson of Major Peter Halleek, of Southold, Long Island, N. Y., was born at Southold, Oct. 16, 1784, and emigrated to Oneida County, with his father, in the fourteenth year of his age."-Inscription.

Catharine Wager, his wife, died Feb. 20, 1868, aged 73.

"This estimable Christian woman was the mother of Major-Gen- eral Halleck, and the eldest daughter of Henry Wager. From a child she lived in the beautiful Mehawk Valley, and within a mile of her birthplace. She was one of those quiet, gentle, unobtrusive women who gain their gentleness by their love for their Saviour." -Inscription.

Rev. John Arnold, died April 24, 1872, aged 91. Deacon Jabez Halleek, died Sept. 17, 1863, aged 103. Sarah, his wife, died Nov. 29, 1834, aged 72. Rebecca, his wife, died April 10, IS61, aged 89. Jabez Halleck, Jr., died Aug. 20, 1873, aged 74.

Achsa, his wife, died Feb. 21, 1841, aged 42. Joseph Parke, died Feb. 6, 1833, aged 87.

William Cleaveland, died July 24, 1833, aged 67. Elizabeth, his wife, died Nuv. 8, 1832, aged 61. Ezra Clark, died Aug. 21, 1867, aged 84. Lydia Parke, his wife, died Feb. 21, 1862, aged 73. Jacob Wiggins, died Sept. 30, 1839, aged 79. Freelove, his wife, died June 8, 1827, aged 56. John Smith, died Sept. 14, 1873, aged 91. Mary, his wife, died Oct. 5, 1849, aged 62. David Hill, died July 11, 1856, aged 77.

THOMAS McMULLIN.

The ancestors of this gentleman belonged to one of the old Irish families who, by their sterling worth and good character, have made that country renowned. His father, dissatisfied with the yoke of oppression that England forced upon the inhabitants of that land, emigrated from the county of Antrim to this country about the year 1795. He came to Rome, Oneida County, where he resided a few years; he then removed to Amsterdam, Montgomery County, where the subject of this sketch was born, Nov. 18, 1801, being the eldest son of Hugh and Ann McMullin. The year following his birth his father removed to the town of Western, where he ended his days. At the age of twenty-one Thomas left his father's home to seek his live- lihood, and went to work by the month at farm labor. In 1824 he purchased a farm of one hundred and fifty acres in Western. Having a small capital, he was obliged to go in debt for a part of it; but by industry, frugality, and economy he prospered, and is living to-day upon the same place, frce of all incumbrances, and is also enjoying a com-

fortable competency. He was married, March 5, 1832, to - Electa M., daughter of Jonathan R. Kenyon, she being born in 1813 in what is now the town of Ava, Oneida County. By this union he had seven children, five of whom are living at the present time,-Jonathan R., Hannah C., Ann, Thomas, and Electa. His wife died March 24, . 1846, mourned and respected by all who knew her. Politi- cally, he is a member of the Republican party, and is held in such high esteem by his fellow-citizens that he has held many public offices, though the opposite party has a large majority in the town. He has been for forty years a mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Westernville, and has given liberally of his means for its support. He has passed through life thus far without a syllable of re- proach or calumny. In all his business transactions it has been his aim to follow the golden rule, and " do to others as he would have others do to him." Temperate, generous, and conscientious, his last years are passing away in the sweet consciousness of having led an upright life.

595

HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

Laura, his wife, died Dec. 80, 1866, aged 78. Orange Hayden, died July 31, 1872, aged 79. Polly, his wife, died Aug. 31, 1849, aged 56. Ephraim Potter, died Aug. 16, 1832, aged 72. Elizabeth, his wife, dicd April 29, 1830, aged 66. John Paddock, died Dec. 28, 1866, aged 82. Polly, his wife, died April 21, 1840, aged 52. David Fanning, died June 17, 1826, aged 49. Elizabeth, his wife, died May 24, 1830, aged 58. James Boyd, died Sept. 2, 1870, aged 90. Mahetahle, his wife, died March 21, 1833, aged 50. John Ely, native of New Jersey, died April 14, 1842, aged 66. George Brayton, died March 5, 1837, aged 65. Sarah, his wife, died May 8, 1841, aged 64. John Swan, died June 12, 1849, aged 82. Mary, his wife, died Jan. 26, 1859, aged 86. John Harris, who was an elder in the Presbyterian Church from 1826, died August 10, 1860, aged 75. James Olney, dicd Feb. 22, 1862, aged 78. Lucy, his wife, died June 4, 1876, aged 86. William Olney, Esq., died Dec. 22, 1846, aged 90. Mary, his wife, died Dec. 13, 1818, aged 57. Aaron Ismond, died April 7, 1813, aged 51. Nathaniel Turner, died June 8, 1830, aged 84. Mary, his wife, died Sept. 23, 1826, aged 78. Seth Church, died Dec. 20, 1852, aged 73. Clarissa, his wife, died Dec. 28, 1850, aged 65. Ruth Park, died May 6, 1873, aged 93.

THE EARLY SCHOOLS

of this town were among the best for that day in the county. Probably the first was taught at what is now the village of Westernville. As early as 1805-6 school was kept by Amy Williams in a frame building, which stood about on the site of David Hall's present residence. The district was subsequently changed, and a school tanght near Esquire Henry Wager's. All the early schools in this town were large and popular. Before these mentioned in the village a log school-house had been built in what is now the town of Lee, then belonging to Western, and this school was attended by pupils from both towns. It was the first in either. Those now in existence have a large attendance, and are in good condition.

RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES.

The first religious organization in this town was formed by the Baptists, in 1798, with abont 60 members. It never had a regular pastor, but services were held by Elders Stephen Parsons, Jonathan Waldo, and others for many years. It finally was allowed to decline.

Subsequent to the decline of the Baptists a Methodist Society was formed, and have since maintained the prece- dent they then established, having at present a larger membership than any other denomination in town. They have several churches. One north and one south of Big Brook Post-Office are in charge of Rev. Lemuel Clark, of Steuben Corners, and each has a small membership. The Methodist Episcopal Church at North Western was built about 1839, the society having been organized about the same time. David Brill, now of the village, aided in its construction. Its membership is fair, and its pastor, Rev. J. W. Roberts, holds services also at North Steuben and on Webster's Hill. At Westernville a Methodist Episco- pal Church was built about 1854-56, and is still in use by a society numbering about 65 members, also in charge of

Rev. J. W. Roberts. A large Sunday-school is sustained, with John French as Superintendent.

A new frame house of worship was built in the north- west corner of town in 1877, by a Welsh Methodist Epis- copal Society. The organization of this society was ef- fected some years before the church was built. Its mem- bership is small, and no regular pastor is employed.

A small society of Friends was formed in this town soon after the beginning of the present century, and the locality where they settled has received the name of Quaker Hill. Meetings are not at present kept up by them.

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, WESTERNVILLE.

The Presbyterian Society at this place was incorporated in 1818, having been organized Jan. 15 of that year. The present frame church was built as a " union church" in 1817, before the Presbyterians organized. A large debt cumbered it, and it was purchased by George Brayton, who deeded it to the Presbyterian Society, together with the old cemetery immediately in the rear of the church, and form- ing a part of the present village cemetery. The council by whom this church was organized consisted of Rev. John Dunlap, a missionary ; Rev. Moses Gillett, of Rome ; Rev. Henry Smith, of Camden; and Phineas Tuttle, from the church in. Camden. Fifteen persons constituted the original society. The following persons have preached here at different times, for greater or less periods : Revs. John Dunlap, Chester Long, George W. Gale, S. W. Bur- rett, D. B. Butts, Jason Allen, George S. Boardman, Charles G. Finney, Robert Everett, C. Lewis, Isaac Bray- ton, J. Donald, George I. King, I. P. Stryker, A. Corliss, E. C. Pritchett, C. Jones, A. Mandell, W. B. Parmelee. Those who have been installed over the church as regular pastors are Revs. D. B. Butts, George I. King, A. H. Corliss, E. C. Pritchett, A. Mandell, W. B. Parmelee, Wil- liam M. Robinson, William A. Rice, and the present pas- - tor, Rev. George Craig, in charge since July, 1877. The membership in April, 1878, was 106. The Sabbath-school is managed by Edward Rees as Superintendent, and has about 75 members, and a library of 71 volumes, procured in 1877.

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History of Oneida County, New York : with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 161

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