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 168
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Of the elders of this church particular mention may be made of a few. Benjamin S. Walcott, who began busi- ness at this place in 1809, was a native of Cumberland, R. I., where he was born in 1785. He was for many years at the head of the cotton business of the New York Mills. He did much towards building up both church and schools in his adopted home, and one of the chairs of Ham- ilton College, which he, with his son (William D. Walcott), endowed, bears the name of Walcott. He died Jan. 12, 1862.
Ezra Wood was born in Rhode Island in 1781. In 1812 he removed to Utica, and in 1818 to New York Mills. The first house erected at this place where no alcoholic drinks were used at the " raising" was built by him. He was twice a delegate to the General Assembly, and was sent many times to Presbytery. Two of his sisters -Mary Puffer and Lucy Barnes-were among the early teachers of the Sabbath-school which he established here. He died Dec. 16, 1870, in the ninetieth year of his age.
Anibrose Coan, the last of the original elders of this church, had been an elder io Whitesboro'.
Dr. Norton Porter, who was elected elder in July, 1834, was one of the earliest physicians who came to Oneida County. He was a student in the Vermont Medical Col- lege, and became an eminent member of his profession. He died Nov. 18, 1852.
Among others have been Robert McFarlane, Rufus Lyman, Jonathan Law. Nathan Lee, Almon Rockwell, I. W. Hand, Albert Marcellus, Daniel Thomas, Salmon Holmes, Solomon Prentiss, Solomon Stark, David Shapley, B. S. Graves, and Charles MeLcan.
# From a historical discourse delivered by Rev. Charles B. Austin, of the Presbyterian Church at New York Mills, Sept. 10, 1876.
78
618
HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.
On the breaking out of the war of the Rebellion, in 1861, thirty-six members of this church responded to the call for volunteers. Of these a number distinguished themselves. Twenty-one returned alive, viz. : Major Ezra S. Wetmore, Lieutenant W. Stuart Walcott, Lieutenant E. Barton Wood, George Smith, Thomas Beveridge, Jr., Mathew Wilson (members of the church); Major David B. Magill, Cap- tain John W. Walcott, Captain Andrew Bayne, Henry Sinclair, William McNab, Frank H. Walcott, Charles A. Shaw, Henry Jones, James Swan, James Rowland, Frank Miller, David Miller, Andrew C. Bayne, James Hinchcliffe, Thomas Johnson (members of the society). Fifteen laid down their lives for their country or died from the effects of hardships. These were James Bayne, Edward Rowland, David Beard, Charles McNab, William Curle, James Young (members of the church) ; Donald Bayne, William Rat- cliffe, Charles Fox, Daniel Ross, Hugh Ross, Augustus Smith, David McNab, Ira Hand, Eugene Wood (members of the congregation or Sabbath-school). The names of those who died are inscribed upon a costly monument in the village cemetery, erected at the expense of Hon. Samuel Campbell,-one of many proofs of his generous patriotism.
The membership of the church has always been good, although subject to fluctuation from various causes. The Sunday-school has been very flourishing, the average at- tendance for years having been over 200. A primary or infant school has a membership of about 60. Mr. Robert Hughes has held the post of chorister for more than twenty years.
WELSH CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, NEW YORK MILLS.
Many of the operatives employed in the extensive works of the New York Mills cotton manufacturing company are natives of the mountains of Wales, -the "land of song,"- and about 1852 a society of Welsh Congregationalists was formed here, and a church erected. The present member- ship is from 55 to 65. Meetings are held every Sabbath, the pulpit being usually supplied by Rev. Dr. Jones, of Utica. The church has no regular pastor, its last one having been Rev. Thomas M. Owens. A Sabbath-school is kept up, under the present superintendence of Stephen S. Wil- liams. About 1870 the church, a frame building, was re- paired at an expense of about $1200. It is located in the northern portion of the middle village.
ST. PETER'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH, ORISKANY.
This parish was organized and incorporated in May, 1830, under the administration of Rev. Marcus A. Perry. The brick church now standing is the only one ever pos- sessed by the parish, and was built in 1833-34. It has been several times remodeled, and the value of the prop- erty is now estimated at $3000. Meetings were first held in the school-house. This parish has been in charge part of the time of the rectors of St. John's at Whitestown, and a part of those of St. Paul's at Holland Patent, in the town of Trenton. Among the rectors here have been Revs. Erastus Spaulding, Benjamin W. Whitcher, Henry A. Neeley (now Bishop of Maine), William Baker, William A. Matson, Jacob S. Shipman, Henry Stanley, Henry
Darby, William T. Gibson, Alexander H. Rogers, William N. Irish, W. H. Dean (now of Holland Patent), and the present incumbent, R. L. Mathison. St. Peter's was conse- crated by Bishop Onderdonk. The communicants to this church numbered in February, 1878, about 60. Sabbath- schools are connected both here and at Whitesboro', the one at the latter place having the larger attendance.
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, ORISKANY.
This society was organized Angust 14, 1831, with 13 members. The frame church building was completed and dedicated Dec. 30, 1835. The first pastor was Rev. Samuel Wells, who was ordained and installed March 9, 1836. Among others who have had charge are Revs. - Gamage, T. B. Jervis, E. C. Pritchett, and, as a supply, Rev. L. J. Sawyer, of Whitesboro'. The pastor in February, 1878, was Rev. Peter Lindsay, a graduate of Hamilton College. The membership at the same period was about 75. The Superintendent of the Sabbath-school is Samuel Nelson.
OLD METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, ORISKANY.
For many years a flourishing organization of Methodists was continued here, and a frame church was built by them. It is now used by a Welsh society of the same denomina- tion, which has been organized but a few years. The old society no longer holds its meetings. The Welsh society has a membership of 30 or more. No regular pastor is employed.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, NEAR COLEMAN'S MILLS.
This society was organized previous to 1850, and a small frame house of worship erected. Its membership was small, and it was under the charge of pastors from the Methodist Episcopal Church at Westmoreland, with which place it is still connected. The membership of the two charges is about 140, of which a small proportion forms the society here. Rev. A. G. Markham is the pastor in charge. There is also a small Sunday-school.
BAPTIST CHURCH, WALESVILLE.
This church was constituted in 1850, including both Walesville, in Whitestown, and Peckville, in Westmoreland. Its first pastor was Elder John M. Shotwell. The church is in Whitestown, on the east side of Oriskany Creek, at the settlement known as Walesville. A small but neat church was erected soon after the organization. The present mem- bership is respectable.
PHYSICIANS.
There are at present practicing in this town eight physi- cians, located as follows :
At Whitesboro' .- Charles E. Smith, M.D., present post- master; has been in practice here since 1858, and is the longest in practice of any now in the village. Dr. William M. James is next oldest, and Drs. Smith Baker and Charles E. Crain (eclectic) are later in the field.
At New York Mills .- Here is located Dr. H. N. Porter, the oldest in town, both in years and practice. He is a prominent member of the Oneida County Medical Associa- tion, and also of the New York State Medical Society. Dr. Bullock also resides here.
619
HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.
At Oriskany .- W. A. Babcock, M.D .; and at Walesville, Wales Buell, M.D.
Among others who have practiced here were Drs. Whiting Smith, from 1836 to 1866, when he died; Fred- erick B. Henderson, from about 1836 until his death, in the neighborhood of 1858; Frederick T. Henderson, from 1854 until his death, in 1870,-these all at Whitesboro'. Also William H. Gardner, who practiced here for many years, and died in Tennessee during the Rebellion, while in the United States service. At Oriskany, O. W. White, M D., who died in 1869, had practiced some fifteen years. H. E. Chapin, M.D., of New York Mills, where he lived and practiced for many years, died in Oswego County.
VILLAGE OF WHITESBORO'.
Ten years after the settlement of Judge White he was in the midst of a flourishing village, which had grown up in the then wilderness, and various business enterprises were already begun-stores, shops, ete .- for the accommodation of the settlers and the pecuniary gain of the proprietors. Among the earliest merchants here the name of William G. Traey stands foremost. " He soon established the reputation of an honest, fair dealer, and this character he well sustained for a long series of years, and Tracy's store was much re- sorted to on account of the probity of its proprietor."* Calico then sold for six shillings and sixpence per yard, although on one occasion Mr. Tracy deducted the sixpence and sold a second piece of goods for six shillings per yard, on account of the first having been burned at the house of the dressmaker. A much better article can now be purchased at from five to eight cents a yard.
In January, 1794, other necessary institutions having been established in the village, it was deemed expedient to have a newspaper, and accordingly the publication of one was begun by Oliver P. Eaton, under the title of the West- ern Centinel. The printing-office was " near the post-office in Whitestown, Herkimer Co., N. Y." This was the first paper published in the county, and was continued about six years. From the issue of September, 1795, the following Whitestown advertisements are taken :
" Kyte & Stark weather will pay the cash for any quantity of good, clean Salts uf Lye. Whitestown, Aug. 31, 1795."
Thomas R. Gold offers for sale 7 lots in the Military Tract, 6} lots in the "4th Town of the 20 Townships," and " 9180 acres in the 7th Township, 4th Range, Genesee."
"To be let, a Farm upon Bowen's Creek, near Esqr. Sayle's, iu Germantown. Enquire of Wm. Green."
" Save your Flax-Seed ! Au Oil-Mill will, without doubt, be created in the course of a few months, if duly encouraged by the several gentlemen in the vicinity of Whitestown who it may beneft."t
"For Sale, the Dwelling-House and Farm, situate on the New Genesee Road, in Whitestown, lately occupied by Enoch Grandis, being an excellent stand fur a Tavern ond Sture. Enquire of T. R. Gold, Att'y, or Thomas Jenkins & Sons."
" WANTED, A GOOD, FAITHFUL MAN to attend a SAW-MILL on Oriskany Creek. Apply to the subscriber, at Cul. D. C. White's, in Whitestowo. W. GREEN."
"John Russell, Windsor-Chair Maker, has established his business a few rods west of the Meeting-IIouse io Whitestown."
"Wanted Immediately, an active Boy, as an Apprentice to the Tayloring (!) Business. JOSEPH BLAKE."
"To be Sold, a Farm in Whitestown, lying on the great road lead- ing from Old Fort Schuyler to the Genesee River, containing 100 acres, 40 acres improved, aud Framed House and Barv.
" JED'H SANGER."
Messrs. Boardman & Dewey publish an invoice of their stoek in trade, including :
"Cloths, Cassimeres, Yorkshire Plaios, Thicksets, Sballoons, Du- rants, Plain Black Calimanco, Striped Do., Black Russell, Tuboretts, Bandunno Hdkfs., Black Mode, Wildbore, Rattinetts, Men's and Women's Buckles, &c., &c."
Among miscellaneous articles, are
" Brass Nubs, Raizors, Iron Dogs, Franklin Stoves, Hard Soap, Drawn Boot-Legs, Felt Hats, W. I. Rum, Rubstones, Bihles, Spell- iog-Books," ete., etc.,
and they announce to their " customers in general that they have removed their Store from the house of Mr. Caleb Douglass to their new Store at a place formerly known as Pool's Landing," and they " will receive in payment Wheat, Rye, or Barley; money will not be refused. Whitestown, July 27, 1795."
" Webster's Spelling-Book for sale at the Printing-Office."
"Fulling-Mill .- Notice is hereby given to the Public that the Sub- ecriber is about to erect a Fulling-Mill in the town of Scipio, and county of Onondaga, where he designs to carry on the Clothier's Business in all its various branches, by a well-informed workman in said business, &c. AMAZIAH HUTCHINSON."
On the 9th of April, 1811, was passed au act incorporat- ing the " Village of Whitehall Landing." This name, how- ever, did not seem to suit a majority of the citizens of the place, and, after further discussion of the subject, an act was passed March 26, 1813, entitled " An Act to vest certain powers in the Freeholders and Inhabitants of the Village of Whitesborough, and for other purposes." The bounds of the village were fixed, and Section 1 read as follows :
" Be it enacted by the people of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, that the district of country comprehended within the following buunds, to wit: Beginning on the south bank of the Mohawk River, at the mouth of the Sndaqueda Creek ; thence run- ning suntherly un the west line uf Cosby's Manor to a point opposite the southerly line of the lot on which stands the Oneida Cotton- Factory ; thence northwesterly along said line, and to the southwest corner of the house-lot of Arthur Breese; from thence northerly to the intersection of the road leading from the house of Jesse Dodge to the old Genesee road ; from thence northerly until the line strikes a point on the west side of the main road leading frum Whitesboro' to Rome, where the west line of the Sadaqueda Patent intersects said road; thepec northerly on the line of said point to the Mohawk River; thence down said river to the place of beginning, shall con- tinue to be known and distinguished as the Village of Whitesbor- ough."#
No trustees were chosen under this act, and that having been deemed just reason for the aet becoming invalid, a third aet was passed February 23, 1821, reviving the old charler, and re-incorporating the " village of Wbitesbor- ough." The Erie Canal was then just completed through the village. A fourth aet was passed April 23, 1829, amending the previous charter, no village officers having in the meanwhile been elected. May 1, 1847, an aet was passed amending the eastern boundary of the village- changing it to Sauquoit Creek.
# Annals of Oneida County.
This mill was built three miles from Whitesboro', on Oriskany Creek, but has long since passed out of existence.
# This name is indiscriminately written Whiteshorough and Whites- boro'; and very often in the same paragraph in the old records.
620
HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.
The first village officers, elected June 15, 1829, were the following, viz. : Trustees, S. Newton Dexter, Benjamin S. Walcott, Alvan Bradley, Willard Camp, William Eels; Treasurer, Jesse C. Wetmore; Collector, Samuel B. Fer- guson.
S. Newton Dexter was appointed President, John Stryker Village Clerk, and Lewis Berry Street Commissioner. At a meeting of the board, June 26, 1829, a code of by-laws was read and adopted. The following is a list of the Presidents and Trustees of the village from 1830 to 1877, inclusive :
1830 .- President, Fortune C. White; Trustees, Uriah Stevens, Willard Camp, Samuel G. Flagg, James A. Rey- nolds.
1831 .- Theodore Sill; Trustees, Uriah Hobby, James A. Reynolds, Amaziah Palmer, John Watkins.
1832 .- Village this year divided into four wards, June 20. President, Uriah Hobby ; Trustees, Theodore Sill, James A. Reynolds, John Watkins, Amaziah Palmer.
1833 .- President, Uriah Hobby ; Trustees, Jesse C. Wetmore, Joel Root, Wait Lowrey, Winthrop Watson.
1834 .- President, Harvey Bradley ; Trustees, Thomas Beebe, Joel Root, Ira W. Hand, Jesse C. Wetmore.
1835 .- President, William Walcott ; Trustees, Harvey Bradley, Samuel B. Ferguson, Ira W. Hand, George Balis. 1836 .- President, Ichabod C. Baker; Trustees, Samuel B. Ferguson, Alvin Bradley, Geo. Balis, Isaac M. Wetmore.
1837 .- President, Julius Watkins; Trustees, Fred B. Henderson, Calvert Comstock, Ira W. Hand, Lewis T. Berry.
1838 .- President, Peletiah Rawson ; Trustees, James Emery, Marvin Griswold, John Puffer, Lewis T. Berry.
1839 .- President, Alvin Bradley ; Trustees, I. C. Baker, Julius Brainard, Dennis Divine, Lewis T. Berry.
1840 .- President, Ichabod C. Baker; Trustees, Harvey Bradley, Uriah Hobby, L. T. Berry, Ira W. Hand.
1841 .- President, Sol. K. Ellis; Trustees, William Eels, Ephraim Parker, L. T. Berry, I. W. Hand.
1842 .- President, Alvin Bradley; Trustees, Joseph Cauldwell, Rufus Scofield, L. T. Berry, Almon Clark.
1843 .- President, Samuel B. Ferguson ; Trustees, Al- mon Clark, D. L. Wood, John Clapp, William Baxter.
1814 .- President, S. B. Ferguson ; Trustees, Elisha A. Clark, Jesse C. Wetmore, Edwin B. Hobby, John Waite. 1845 .- President, Reuben Hough; Trustees, Daniel Thomas, George Colgate, E. A. Clark, Ira W. Hand.
1846 .- President, Reuben Hough; Trustees, I. W. Hand, D. Thomas, Elisha A. Clark, Henry S. Allyn.
1847 .- President, Harvey Bradley ; Trustees, Daniel Thomas, Julius Watkins, Ira W. Hand, Lewis T. Berry.
1848 .- President, S. B. Ferguson ; Trustees, William L. Montgomery, Henry S. Allyo, Joseph Cauld well, Lucius A. Griswold.
1849 .- President, Reuben Hough ; Trustees, S. B. Fer- guson, William Baxter, Hiram A. Crain, William L. Montgomery.
1850 .- President, Abel C. Carter ; Trustees, H. S. Al- lyn, John Waite, Thomas Ellis, James H. Wilson.
1851 .- President, Thomas Ellis; Trustees, William Kimball, James Symonds, John L. Bowers, James Wood- ward.
1852 .- President, Julius Watkins ; Trustees, James Woodward, H. S. Allyn, Onias P. Ellis, David Dor- ington.
1853 .- President, Harvey Bradley ; Trustees, James Woodward, L. A. Griswold, Russell I. Dickinson, Ebenezer Humphrey.
1854 .- President, Rev. Benj. W. Whitcher ; Trustees, William Roberts, Henry Brown, Daniel Estes, Charles F. Russell.
1855 .- President, Rev. B. W. Whitcher; Trustees, C. F. Russell, J. W. Bowers, J. H. Merchant, J. C. Kelley.
1856 .- President, Israel J. Gray; Trustees, J. L. Bowers, Edwin Watson, S. K. Bingham, William East- man.
1857 .- President, William Baxter; Trustees, J. H. Merchant, Fletcher G. Jelleff, HI. S. Allyn, Lyman L. Wight.
1858 .- Same as 1857.
1859 .- (New charter granted this year .* ) President, Whiting Smith ; Trustees, James S. Gardner, Israel J. Gray, James Symonds, James H. Wilson, Lyman L. Wight.
1860 .- President, Whiting Smith; Trustees, J. S. Gardner, I. J. Gray, James Symonds, James H. Wilson, Lyman L. Wight.
1861 .- President, Whiting Smith; Trustees, J. S. Gardner, Israel J. Gray, James Symonds, L. L. Wight, J. H. Wilson.
1862 .- President, Whiting Smith ; Trustees, Ellis Ellis, William H. Hale, J. H. Wilson, William Benedict, I. J. Gray.
1863 .- President, L. L. Wight; Trustees, E. Ellis, William H. Hale, John Clark, Silas Purdy, Israel J. Gray.
1864 .- President, L. L. Wight ; Trustees, E. Ellis, S. Purdy, J. Clark, Charles H. Williamson, Daniel Estes.
1865 .- President, Silas Purdy ; Trustees, E. Ellis, L. W. Crandell, D. Estes, S. K. Bingham, Z. C. Darling.
1866 .- President, Ellis Ellis; Trustees, I. J. Gray, Lowell W. Crandell, Simeon K. Biogham, J. H. Wilson, L. L. Wight.
1867 .- President, E. Ellis ; Trustees, I. J. Gray, James Buel, Hiram A. Crain, Samuel Johnson, Henry S. Allyn.
1868 .- President, James H. Wilson ; Trustees, Norton W. Boomer, William H. Chandler, John D. Haynes, S. K. Bingham, William Shirley.
1869 .- President, Hiram A. Crain; Trustees, William Benedict, William Shirley, William H. Chandler, George H. Haynes, William B. Williams.
1870 .- President, H. A. Crain ; Trustees, W. B. Wil- liams, George C. Law, J. Gibson, C. L. Johnson, W. H. Chandler.
1871 .- President, John F. Batchelor ; Trustees, J. H. Wilson, William Shirley, George Williams, Chester L. Johnson, Charles H. Williamson.
1872 .- President, J. F. Batchelor; Trustees, G. Wil- liams, C. L. Johnson, William Shirley, Robert A. Jones, Jason S. Crandall.
* This eharter was amended in 1869, and under the last the village government is now administered.
621
HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.
1873 .- President, J. F. Batchelor; Trustees, C. L. Johnson, William B. Chandler, William Shirley, R. A. Jones, J. S. Crandall.
1874 .- President, C. L. Johnson ; Trustees, Robert A. Jones, Edward C. Sweet, William Shirley, J. S. Crandall, L. L. Wight.
1875 .- President, C. L. Johnson ; Trustees, R. A. Jones, William Shirley, E. C. Sweet, J. S. Crandall, John L. Babbitt.
1876 .- President, C. L. Johnson ; Trustees, R. A. Jones, John C. Eberley, William C. Ellis, Daniel C. Whit- ten, George B. Haynes.
1877 .- President, Henry S. Allyn ; Trustees, R. A. Jones, William C. Ellis, George H. Haynes, William M. Gates, William Shirley ; Village Clerk, Charles Aldridge ; Collector, George Stephenson ; Treasurer, Charles A. Sweet; Police Justice, James Brierley.
Subsequent to May, 1802, and as late as 1850, Whites- town was a half-shire town of Oneida County. Previous to 1802 the county courts were held at Rome. During that year they were held at Whitestown (Whitesboro'), and subsequently the terms (three in each year,-in May, Sep- tember, and December) were held alternately at the two places, beginning at Whitestown in May, 1803. Although as early as 1789 steps were taken in the matter of providing for a court-house and jail to be erected at Whitestown,* yet the work was not finally consummated until April 2, 1806, when an act was passed authorizing the Board of Super- visors " to raise $4000 to build two court-houses, one at Rome and one at Whitesborongh, and they were soon after- wards erected."+ The jail had been built in 1801, and in the minutes of the Court of Common Pleas for the Decem- ber term of that year is found the following entry :
"Charles C. Brodhead, sheriff of this county, having informed the court that in pursuance of a law passed the last session he had accepted of and actually removed bis prisonerst to the gaul lately built for the county in the village of Whitesboro', it is therefore ordered that from and after the second day of January, one thousand eight hun- dred and two, instead of the present liberties of the gaol in and for the county of Oneida, as established by the rules of this court, the following shall be and are hereby established for the liberties of the gaol of said county, to wit : (here follow the boundaries) containing three acres of land, agreeable to a map thereof on file, and mnado by Robert Bordwell."
It is thus seen that the " Liberties of the Gaol" had been contracted somewhat from the space allowed under the old New England laws, and this was a step towards the present custom of confining prisoners entirely within the walls of the jail. After passing this resolution, the court adjourned " till the third Tuesday of May next ; then to be held at the school-house near the gaol of the county, in the village of Whitesborough."
The lot in the village upon which the court-house and
jail were erected was donated for the purpose by Hugh- White, the original proprietary settler, on the condition that the realty should revert to him or his heirs in the event of a removal of the county-seat from the village. This contingency finally occurred, and in the absence of Philo White, now residing in the village, the buildings were sold under a decree in chancery, for partition among the heirs. On the return of Mr. White in 1859, at which time he took up his permanent residence here, the case was laid before him. As it was evident that his grandfather's in- tention had been that the donation of the ground to the public should be irrevocable, Mr. White took the necessary steps to secure the property, and afterwards§ donated it to the town and village for their use as a town hall and council- chamber. The conditions of this conveyance included that the portion of the " Public Green" in front of the edifice should be improved and taken care of, and afterwards Mr. White donated the balance of this " Green," on condition that the municipal authorities should improve it by laying out walks, etc., and make it a park for the free admission of promenaders, " and the exclusion of all cattle, and the like." He afterwards erected a neat fence around the open portion of the lot, and reserved the right to keep the plat free from weeds and rubbish. The corporate authorities inclosed the " Green" with a neat and substantial fence, || and the present park, with its shade-trees and grass-plats, adds much to the natural beauty of the village. The early settlers planted shade-trees along both sides of the main street of the village, and these, grown tall and large, their branches almost interlocking, are stately sentinels along the broad way, which is lined with elegant dwellings and beauti- ful lawns. The " Old Court-House" has been repaired to a considerable extent, and, aside from its uses as a town and village hall, it is the place of many public meetings and social gatherings. Every brick in its walls is dear to the hearts of the citizens of the village, as reminding them of its noble founder and the days of past glory. Whitesboro' was a place of much business when the settlement at Old Fort Schuyler (now Utica) was scarcely worthy of notice; but by subsequent enterprises being established at the latter place, and from various causes which helped to build it up, Whitestown became finally a beautiful suburb of the flour- ishing city of Utica.
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