History of Oneida County, New York : with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 165

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 165

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

In the winter of 1819-20 school was first taught in the neighborhood of the Friends' settlement,-their meeting- house, completed that fall, being used as a school-house, and the teacher being one of their society,-Abigail Tueker. Daniel Peckham, now living in the vicinity, then nineteen years of age, attended that school.

East of this, at "Nicholson's Corners," a school was taught shortly before or soon after ; another had been kept at Bartlett previous to either of these.

In Hampton village a school-house was built between July and October, 1811, which was the second one in the place. It stood " between the meeting-house and the north- west corner of the green; the north side of said house on the line of James Leeworthy's south fence, partly standing on the green, remainder on Leeworthy." Nov. 27, 1811, it was " Voted, That Henry J. Davis continue to teach our school in this district the ensuing winter."}

The town now contains seventeen school districts, with convenient and comfortable buildings generally, and the schools are in good condition.

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, WESTMORELAND.

From a sermon delivered in 1852 by Rev. F. A. Spen- cer, then pastor of this church, the following notes are made : Revs. Mr. Bingham and William Bradford, who were probably sent out by the Connecticut Missionary So-

# Said to be now io the State Library at Albany.

t Jones' Aanals.

# Records of Hampton School District

607

HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

ciety, were the first to preach to the white settlers of this town. The latter aided in organizing, on the 5th of Sep- tember, 1791, a "society for the maintenance of the ordi- nances of the gospel," with fifty-five members. The society met Jan. 28, 1792, and elected as trustees Josiah Stillman, Isaac Jones, John Blair, Stephen Brigham, Samuel Col- lins, Silas Phelps, and George Langford. "On the 17th of January, 1793, this constitutional covenant was an- pulled, and a new one adopted in its place. This now cov- enant was subscribed by eighty-one names, among which is the name of Simeon Fillmore, an unele of Millard Fill- more. It is said also that his brother. the father of the President, was residing here at the same time, as a hired man, in the employ of Esquire Parkman."

Owiog to a dispute in the society as to the site for a chureli, two were erected, one at Hampton and the other on "South Street," in the south part of town. The one at Hampton was built in 1798, and the other either the same year or one or two years later. The latter was sold to the Methodists in 1803, and the Hampton Church has since remained in use, having been several times repaired. It was originally erected upon the green.

The First Congregational Church of Westmoreland was organized, Sept. 20, 1792, with fifteen members, Rev. Wil- liam Bradford presiding at its organization.

The pastors of this church have been the following per- sons, viz. : Revs. Joel Bradley, from July 16, 1793, to Aug. 7, 1800; James Eells, July 11, 1804, to February, 1825; Abijah Crane, February, 1825, to June, 1832; Ed- ward Fairchild, July 3, 1833, to 1836; John Ingersoll, 1836 to 1838; Nathaniel Hurd, March, 1838, to 1841 ; Franklin A. Spencer, April, 1841, to May 27, 1853; Leicester A. Sawyer, February, 1855, to September, 1858; Jeremiah Petrie, April (?), 1859, to December (?), 1862; Moses E. Dunham, June, 1863, to May, 1867 ; and James Deane, the present pastor, since July 21, 1867. The first deacons were Nathaniel Townsend and Thomas Halbert, chosen October 10, 1793. The membership of this church in April, 1878, was 169, including individuals from some 95 families. The Sunday-school was first organized Feb. 25, 1818, under the joint superintendence of William Newcomb and Reuben Bettis. It has a present member- ship of about 220, a library of nearly 600 volumes, and is superintended by James Bell.

AN INDEPENDENT CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH

was formed at Lowell about 1820, and a respectable house of worship erceted in 1824. The first pastor was Rev. Mr. Holmes, an English clergyman, who was succeeded after a few years by Rev. Mr. Jackson, of the same nation- ality. This church in a short tinie began to decline, and finally became extinet. Its house of worship was sold in 1850, and has since been torn away.

THE EPISCOPAL METHODISTS

formed a class in this town as early as 1795-98, and ser- vices were occasionally held by itinerant preachers. Until 1803 their gatherings were in private houses, but in that year they purchased the South Street Congregational Church, which was used until 1835, when a church was

built at Hampton and another at Lairdsville. Among the early Methodist preachers in this town were Rev. Messrs. Harvey, Simon, Everdell, Fox, Freeman, Paddock, Foster, Matteson, and Row. The church at Hampton (Westmore- land Post-Office) numbered 109 full members and 47 proba- tioners by the report of 1877, and about 140 communicants in the spring of 1878. The Sunday-school has about 140 members, including a class of 15 or 20 members at Coleman's Mills, in Whitestown. A library of about 100 volumes is owned by the school. The present pastor of this church is Rev. A. G. Markham, who holds services also at Coleman's Mills. The church at Lairdsville is occupied as a union church, and is in the same charge with Vernon Centre ; Rev. Mr. Crofoot, pastor. A Sunday-school is supported, with a respectable attendance.

GETHSEMANE EPISCOPAL CHURCH, WESTMORELAND,

was organized about the commencement of the year 1842, and for a time supplied by Rev. Stephen McHugh, of Oriskany. Revs. Staples and Spalding were his success- ors, who also had charge of the " De Lancey Institute," as it was then called,-an academic school near the Westmore- land mineral spring. It was afterwards called the " Williams Collegiate Institute," after its principal, A. G. Williams, A.M., previously principal of the Vernon Academy, and present owner of the institution at this place. The school is not now in operation. The number of families at pres- ent connected with this church is 30; communicants, 41 ; rector, Rev. James S. Lemon, of Clark's Mills, where he also has charge of a church. The frame church edifice now in use at Westmoreland was erected in 1858.

THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH

in Westmoreland was constituted March 17, 1803, with 11 members. In March, 1804, Ora Butler came to preach to them, was ordained and became their pastor, and continued as such until his death, Jan. 16, 1811. Elders Hascall, Gorton, Kincaid, Wade, Phileo, Beach, La Hatt, Bicknell, Green, Simmons, Recd, and Belden preached here at dif- ferent periods, and Messrs. Kincaid and Simmons were ordained over this church. The Vernon, Verona, Second Westmoreland, and Clinton churches were taken from this, and in time it became extinet. It was the fifth church of this denomination constituted in the county, its seniors being at Whitestown, Deerfield, Paris, and Sangerfield.

THE SECOND BAPTIST CHURCH

is located at Bartlett, and was formed from the old church at Lairdsville, with 12 members, Feb. 21, 1818. A small church building was erected in 1819. In 1836 some of its members withdrew and organized the " Old-School Baptist Church." Elder Caleb Read was the first regular pastor of the second church, in 1826. The present pastor is Rev. G. L. Farr, and the membership not large. A Sunday- school is sustained.

THE OLD-SCHOOL BAPTIST CHURCH,

located north of Bartlett, has been under the pastoral care of Rev. James Bicknell since its organization in 1836.

608

HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

Its present house of worship was erected in 1838. The attendance is not large.

THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH

at Lowell has a membership of 96, and is in charge of Rev. Isaac Turney. The Sabbath-school has a membership of 120, a library of 200 volumes, and is superintended by George W. Revcly.

THE FRIENDS' MEETING-HOUSE,

north of Bartlett, was built in 1819, soon after the organi- zation of the society, which latter originally consisted of the family of Nathan Peckham, and Messrs. John Wright and Lawton Barker. Alfred Richardson and wife, from Lansingburg, N. Y., came soon afterwards. The society now has between 60 and 70 members. Until since. 1852 the meeting has never had a regularly " recommended min- ister;" at that date Mary A. Peckham, wife of Daniel Peckham, was settled in that capacity. Traveling ministers have visited the locality occasionally ever since the organi- zation of the society. The old frame meeting-house was used until 1871-72, when it was removed and the present building erected in its placer

The first of this society who settled in this locality were Messrs. Wright and Barker, above mentioned. Daniel Peckham, from Pittstown, Rensselaer Co., N. Y., settled in 1812, and his wife, Lydia Peckham, was the first female member of the society. Mr. Peckham brought with him a family of ten children, of whom Daniel, now living near the meeting-house, was the oldest son and next to the oldest child. The Society of Friends in this town is considerably larger than any other in the county of Oneida.

LAIRDSVILLE

is located in the southern part of the town. Samuel Laird has been mentioned as the first settler here. His old log tavern was for some years the most noted one west of Albany. For his first sign he placed one end of a piece of board in a hollow stump, with the other cnd telling the wayfarer that an inn was before him. He afterwards built a better log house, and extended the ridge-pole far enough to hang a sign upon. Isaac Jones afterwards opened a second public-house at this place, which before the days of canals and railways was quite a metropolis in miniature.

The Lairdsville post-office was established about 1820-21, through the efforts of Judge Dean and Pomroy Jones. The first postmaster was probably Salmon Cushman, who was keeping a public-house in the village at the time. The mail is at present brought from Clinton, and the affairs of the office are administered by J. B. Jennings.

HECLA WORKS.

In 1800 a blast-furnace, known as the " Westmoreland Furnace," was erected and went into operation at this place, which is located in the southwest part of town. The company which built it was composed of the following persons : Russell Clark, Joel Bradley, Bradford Seymour, Asa Seymour, Isaac Seymour (brothers), and George Lang- ford. They at first used ore which was found near Judge Dean's, but it proved to be inferior in quality, and con-

siderable quantities were brought from Verona, which con- tained so much lime that it rendered fluxing unnecessary. 'Ore was also used from various other localities. The old foundry has been converted into a saw- and grist-mill, and the manufacture of iron at this place is numbered among the things of the past.

The Hecla post-office was established in the spring of 1851. The present postmaster is W. W. Wells. A small store, the mills above referred to, and a few houses, com- prise what is now " Hecla Works."

SPENCER SETTLEMENT

is a locality in the northern part of town, and was proba- bly so named from Mr. Spencer, an early settler. Elections were in an early day held at his house.

LOWELL

is located in the northwestern part of town, and contains a store, a school-house, a church, a post-office, two black- smith-shops, a shoe-shop, and a wagon-shop. Its location was long called the " Two-Mile Tract." The post-office, when first established, was called Republican, and afterwards changed to Lowell. The village, or " corners," was for some time called Andover, but as there was another post- office in the State with that name, it was finally changed. The present postmaster is J. M. Lawrence.

A fire in the village early in September, 1875, destroyed a dwelling, a store, and the old brick tavern known as the " Union Hotel," and the latter has not been rebuilt.

DIX POST-OFFICE

was established in 1876, with George Harris as postmaster, who is still in office, It was named after Governor John A. Dix, and is located at a station on the Rome and Clinton Railway, near Spencer Settlement.

BARTLETT POST-OFFICE

was established about the spring of 1871, and L. B. Good- sell appointed first postmaster. The office was named after the president of the Rome and Clinton Railway, upon which it is located. Previous to its establishment mail was brought from Westmoreland, and for ten or eleven years placed in care of Z. E. Downing for distribution. Walter H. Dawley kept the office from 1873 to 1876, and his father, J. C. Dawley, the present incumbent, has held it since the fall of the latter year.

WESTMORELAND,

formerly called Hampton, lies in the eastern part of the town, and contains two dry-goods and grocery stores, two tin- shops, one flour and feed store, one drug-store, three black- smith-shops, one wagon-shop, one harness-maker, one tailor, one cabinet and undertaking establishment, a malleable-iron manufactory, three saw-mills (near the village), a post-office, a hotel, two livery-stables, three boot and shoe shops, and two physicians (H. Warden and A. L. Terpenning). Over the feed-store is " Halleck's Hall," for public uses. One lawyer, E. L. Clark, practices in Utica; Prof. L. F. Billings is a music-teacher ; and there are also three churches and a two-story graded-school building. The post-office at this place was established quite early, and originally called

Årarzved by Sammel Sartam Phel"

Erastus M.Clark.

609

HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

Hampton. Much trouble was experienced from the fact that another post-office of the same name existed in the State, and it was finally changed to Westmoreland, to corre- spond with the town. The place is still occasionally called Hampton by those who knew it in the days before its name was changed. Anson Smith was one of the early post- masters here ; the present incumbent of the office is N. F. Metcalf.

The Westmoreland Agricultural Society was conducted some ten years, and disbanded about 1876. Annual fairs were held during its existence.

WESTMORELAND MALLEABLE-IRON COMPANY (LIMITED).

In 1850, Messrs. Smith, Buell & Co. erected and put in operation a furnace for the manufacture of malleable iron. Mr. Buell removed to Oriskany in 1857, and estab- lished a factory at that place. The officers of the present company, which succeeds Clark, Metcalf & Co., are : Pres- ident, James M. Clark ; Secretary and Treasurer, Francis M. Metcalf. Clark, Metcalf & Co. were successors to Smith, Clark & Co., and one of the early names of the firm was Smith, Halleck & Co. From 250 to 300 tons of malleable and gray-iron castings are manufactured annually, the work being mostly light harness buckles, etc. The capacity is much larger ; employment is furnished to about 50 hands upon an average, and it is the largest manufac- turing establishment in the place.

The mineral springs at this place were first brought into public notice in 1837-38, by Samuel, Halleck, father of A. H. Halleck, now residing in the village. The water was analyzed by Prof. Noyes, of Hamilton College, and found to possess fine medicinal qualities. ; It was discovered by Mr. Halleck while boring for coal, which he erro- neously supposed existed in this locality. He erected a large building for boarders, and the place was quite a well- known summer resort for a number of years. The water forced itself' in a strong stream through a pipe which had been set in the ground. The property now belongs to Professor A. G. Williams, A M., but is not kept open for the accommodation of boarders or seekers alter the life- giving properties of the water.

Among those who have kindly furnished information in this town, and to whom we are greatly indebted therefor, are the veteran, Judge Pomroy Jones, John L. Dean, Z. E. Downing, A. H. Halleck, Rev. James Deane, various members of churches, manufacturers, and many others.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH.

ERASTUS W. CLARK.

The name of this venerable man, so long identified with the interests of Oneida County, finds an appropriate place in its history. Commencing during Washington's admin- istration, his life lay parallel with almost the entire history of the United States.

He was born in Lebanon, Windham Co., Conn., April 4, 1796. His father, Charles Clark, was a descendant of 77

Daniel Clark, who emigrated from England in 1639, to Windsor, Conn.

Receiving only the advantages of a common-school edu- cation, he served an apprenticeship at blacksmithing in his native town. Soon after, he made his first visit to this State, passing through the counties of Oneida and Madison. This journey was made by horse and wagon, and occupied several weeks. He was accompanied by Justus Brewster, a fellow-apprentice, who afterwards settled in Verona, in this county, where he died many years ago. At this time (1817) no locomotive whistle had disturbed the Mohawk Valley, the Erie Canal was but just begun, and Utica was a thriving village of 2000 inhabitants, living mostly on Genesee and Whitesboro' Streets.

Mr. Clark was married in Lebanon, Nov. 13, 1817, to Miss Lucretia H. Buell, sister of Colonel Abel B. Buell, now residing in Utica.

In 1818 he removed to Schenectady County, and after- wards to Schoharie County, working at blacksmithing.

In March, 1824, he removed to Oriskany, in Oneida County, and engaged in trade and the manufacture of lum- ber. He furnished part of the first lumber used in con- structing the New York Mills cotton-factories, then in their infaney, now holding a leading position among thie industries of this county. While he resided in Oriskany, the Erie Canal was completed, opening a new era in the progressive development of this State and the great West. This event was celebrated with great ceremony, Oct. 26, 1825.

After several years here, and a brief residence in Albany, he removed to Westmoreland, Nov. 26, 1828 .. Ilere he was engaged in trade, and in the business of sheet-iron and tin-ware manufacturing, being associated with his brothers, L. and C. Clark, and with them built the brick store in that place in 1832. The work was well done by the late Thomas L. Kingsley, of Utica, and his brother, then prac- tical masons and builders.

In October, 1837, he removed to Vernon, where he lived nearly ten years, being engaged in the tin, iron, and stove trade with N. F. Metcalf, now of Westmoreland.

After a short residence in Albany, in 1847 he removed to Oak Hill, Greene Co., N. Y., where he resided nearly three years, and first became connected with the malleable iron manufacture, then in its infancy in this State. This connection resulted in the establishment of the Malleable- Iron Works in Westmoreland, in September, 1850, of which he was one of the founders, and for many years the business manager. To his industry, eare, and cautious man- agement the great success of this enterprise is largely due. His associates in this business were Colonel Abel B. Buell, Parker Halleck, William Smith, Asahel Strong, and Simeon B. Smith, of whom Mr. Buell alone survives. In 1871 he retired from the business, having some years previously ceased any active participation in its work.

About ten years after his return to this town, he suffered a great affliction in the loss of his wife, with whom he had lived happily for nearly forty-three years. Her life termi- nated, after a long and painful illness, May 2, 1860.

Their children were seven in number, as follows :

Delia B. Metcalf, wife of N. F. Metcalf, of Westmore- land, born June 9, 1818.

610

HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

Anna B. Seymour, wife of William B. Seymour, residing in Iowa City, Iowa, born Nov. 22, 1819.

Harriet E. Clark, wife of William J. Clark, of West- moreland, born Dec. 20, 1820.

James M. Clark, residing at Westmoreland, born March 26, 1824.

N. Sophia Clark, born April 18, 1830, died in Vernon, Feb. 12, 1845.

Parker H. Clark, born June 13, 1833, died in Newton- ville, Mass., April 11, 1868.

W. Everett Clark, born March 27, 1838, and now re- siding in Woodhaven, N. Y.

Of his descendants were also eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

In his political associations, Mr. Clark was originally a Democrat, but early becoming impressed with the evils of slavery, he threw his influence, on all occasions, against its extension, and in 1848 acted with the " Free-Soil" party. In 1856, he joined in the organization of the Republican party, which had his warmest sympathies during his life. Throughout the Rebellion the government had his earnest and unvarying support. He had no ambition for public office, but was often chosen for positions of trust. In 1840 he was appointed as deputy marshal for taking the United States census, his work covering seven towns of this county. In 1841 he was elected supervisor of the town of Vernon, and in 1842 justice of the peace, holding the office four years. He also received the nomination of the " Free-Soil" party for delegate to the Convention of 1846, for revision of the Constitution of the State of New York.

Liberal in his religions belief, he was always charitable and tolerant towards the views of others. While at Vernon he assisted in the organization of the society there, composed of Unitarians and Universalists, and did much to build it up.

Temperate aud careful in his habits, his perceptive and mental faculties were clear and bright to the last. He died quite suddenly, of heart-disease, on the 19th of July, 1878. Thus a wish he had often expressed, that his life might end with only brief notice, and free from the pain and suffering of lingering disease, seemed gratified. A few moments be- fore his death, he was engaged in reading, writing, and cheerful conversation with his physician and friends,

A valuable member of society, a kind and generous pa- rent, aiding in every good work, sympathizing with progress and reform, identifying himself with every local enterprise, he was held in esteem and respect by all. In his death one more of the landmarks of Oneida County is removed.

The following remarks, written down by him some years ago, and found, after his death, among liis memoranda, may be interesting to his many friends :

" Being ahout to coter my eightieth year, I can say, with the Psalmist, ' I have been young but now am old.' I have looked forward in youth into the misty future, dreaming of the happiness to be enjoyed, mak- ing plans never to be realized, and to be swept away by the first touch of reality. Youth and old age! How different are the hopes and as- pirations that animate each ! The one just setting ont in life; the other just finishing his career. The one sees nothing in the future which can cloud his prospects or mar his happiness; the other sees in the past many spots in his history that he would be glad to correet. The one has the most of life's history to learn and experience ; the other has seen about all there is to see in life, and is waiting the last great change which finally overtakes all. It is not pleasant to grow

old, and feel our strength and powers, both physical and mental, slip- ping from us hy degrees, and having no way of stnying our course ; but this seems to be the order of Him who docth all things well. I am on the dowo-hill of life, and far down, aod am admonished cach day of this fact. My step is not firm, my eyes are dim, and it is diffi- cult to find anything that will assist me to rend. My memory is treacherous. Ican remember nothing from day to day, and the phys- ical man is subject to weariness and pain. The sands in my glass are fast running out. My work for goud or evil is done.

"' And if to eighty we arrive, We rather sigh and groan than live.'

"So says the Psalmist, and so I find it to be. Yet with abundant means, and surrounded with a family circle and associations of the pleasantest character, and with a host of warm friends, notwithstand- ing the gloom and suffering of old age, I am desirous to live on."

CHAPTER XLVII.

WHITESTOWN.

BY an act passed March 7, 1788, the district of Mont- gomery County known as " German Flats," including the entire western portion of the State of New York, was di- vided, and the town of " White's Town" was formed, with the following boundaries, viz .. " Easterly by a line run- ning north and south to the north and south bounds of the State, and crossing the Mohawk River at the ford near, and on the east side of the house of William Cunningham, and which line was the western boundary of the towns of Herkimer, German Flats, and Otsego; southerly by the State of Pennsylvania, and west and north by the hounds of the State." William Cunningham's house stood near the foot, and on the west side of Genesee Street, in Utica, midway between Whitesboro' and Water Streets. It will be seen by reference to the map that the territory embraced in the original town of " White's Town" included nearly half the present area of the State. Its population at the time was probably less than two hundred,-a few scattered settlements in the vast wilderness,-and by the census of 1870 the same territory, including about thirty counties, contained more than a million and a half inhabitants. As early even as 1810 the growth in population had been re- markable, the census of that year showing that nearly three hundred thousand people had settled in the vast domain long familiarly known as the " Whitestown country," to which, " way up among the Indians," so many adventurous pioneers from New England had come. Upon the forma- tion of Oneida County, in 1798, the limits of Whitestown were extended to the east about two miles, or to the present line of Herkimer County. The town had been divided by an act passed April 10, 1792, and the new towns of West- moreland, Steuben, Paris, Mexico, and Peru erected, the original name of Whitestown being retained by but a small portion of the territory formerly included. March 5, 1795, portions of Whitestown and Paris were formed into a new town ealled Cazenovia, and, on the formation of Oneida County, that portion of the town of Frankfort which came within its limits was annexed to Whitestown. From the latter Augusta was formed, while the remainder of Whites- town, " lying within the Oneida reservation, so called," was annexed to Westmoreland. April 7, 1817, the town of

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Oneida County, New York : with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 165

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