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 50
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ASSEMBLY-1798 TO 1847.
The Assembly has always been chosen annually. It consisted at first of 70 members, with the power to in- crease one with every seventieth increase of the numbers of electors until it contained 300 members. When the con- stitution was amended in 1801 the number had reached 108, when it was reduced to 100, with a provision that it should be increased after cach census at the rate of two annually, until the number reached 150. This increase was 12 in 1808 and 14 in 1815. The constitution of 1821 fixed the number permanently at 128. Members were elected on a general ticket, which has been since continued.
No change can be made in the representation of coun- ties between the period fixed by the constitution for the apportionment based upon the census taken in years ending in 5. Counties erected from parts of other counties, or em- bracing parts of different election districts, between these periods cannot have a separate representation until the next apportionment. The Legislature apportions to each county its relative number of members, and the boards of supervisors divide the towns and wards into Assembly districts.
The constitution of 1846 required the boards of super- visors of the several counties to meet on the first Tuesday of January succeeding the adoption of the constitution, and divide the counties into districts of the number appor- tioned to them, of convenient and contiguous territory, and as nearly equal population as possible. After each State census the Legislature is required to re-apportion the mem- bers and to direct the time when the supervisors shall mect for the purpose of re-districting.
Fulton and Hamilton Counties together elect one mem- ber, and every other county one or more.
# This name is written also Cookinham.
189
HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.
1798-99 .- Abel French, Heary MeNeil, David Ostrom. 1800 .- John Hall, David Ostrom, Nathno Smith.
1800-1 .- Jesse Curtiss, Abel French, David Ostrom. 1802 .- Joel Bristol, Abel French, David Ostrom.
1803 .- James Denn, Sr., Abel Freach, John Lay, Aaron Morse. 1804 .- David Coffeeo, Joseph Kirklnad, David Ostrom, Abraham Van Eps.
1804-5 .- Geo. Brayton, Jos. Jennings, Jos. Kirkland, Benj. Wright. 1806 .- George Brayton, Thomas Hart, Joseph Jennings.
1807 .- George Brayton, Uri Doolittle, Charles Z. Pratt.
1808 .- Thomas R. Gold, Henry McNeil, Benjamin Wright.
1809 .- Joel Bristol, James Dena, Sr., David Ostrom, Joha Storrs, Benjamin Wright.
1810 .- Levi Carpenter, Jr., Samuel Chnadler, Joho Humaston, David Ostrom, John Storre.
1811 .- Isane Bryton, George Doolittle, George Iluatington, Henry McNeil, John Storrs.
1812 .- Isaac Brayton, Joel Bristol, Ernstus Cinrk, George Hunting- too, Joha Storrs.
1813 .- Josiah Bacon, Ernstus Clark, George Huntington, John Lay, Nathao Townsend.
1814 .- Isane Brayton, Laureos IIull, James Lynch, Heary MeNeil, Theodore Sill.
1815 .- Theodore Sill, John Lay, James Lynch, Rufus Pettibone, Joha Storrs.
1816 .- Isaac Brayton, Jesse Curtiss, James Lynch, Roderick Morri- son, Richard Snager.
1817 .- David I. Ambler, Wheeler Barnes, Ahram Camp, Martin Hawley, Henry Hnatingtoo, Newton Marsh.
1818 .- George Breyton, Heory Huntington, Joseph Kirkland, Nathan Williams, Theodore Woodruffe.
1819 .- (Oneida and Oawego) Ezekiel Bacon, Lather Guiteau, David P. Hoyt, George Huatingtoo, Theodore Woodruffe.
1820 .- (Oneida and Oswego) James Den, Jr., George Huntington, Henry MeNeil, Theophilus S. Morgan, John Storrs.
1821 .- (Oneida and Oswego) Josiah Bneon, Allea Fraser, Geo. Hunt- ington, Joseph Kirkland, William Root.
1822 .- (Oneida and Oswego) Greene C. Bronson, Saml. Chandler, George Huntington, Peter Pratt, Israel Stoddard.
1823 .- (Oneida) Uri Doolittle, Thomas H. Hamilton, Jesse Lyoch, Henry Wager, Sami. Wetmore.
1824 .- Joseph Allen, Apollos Cooper, Joseph Grant, John Ruger, Heory Wager.
1825 .- Joseph Kirkland, David Pierson, Israel Stoddard, Broughton White, Samuel Woudworth.
1826 .- Aaron Barnes, Russell Clark, Laurene Hall, Theodore Sill, Israel Stoddard.
1827 .- Joha Billings, W. H. Chandler, Benj. P. Johnson, Joha Par- ker, Theodore Sill.
1828 .- Gardiner Avery, S. Sidney Breese, Thomne E. Clark, Benj. P. Johosoo, Eli Savage.
1829 .- Reuben Bacon, Benj. P. Johnson, Eli Savage, Reuben Tower, Fortune C. White.
1830 .- Arnoa Comstock, Linus Parker, Elisha Pettibone, Eli Savage, Ithal Thompson.
1831 .- Reuben Bettie, Araon Comstock, David Moulton, Riley Shep- ard, John F. Trowbridge.
1832 .- Nathaniel Fitch, Lemuel Ilough, Rutger B. Miller, David Monitoa, Daniel Twitchell.
1833 .- Ichabod C. Baker, Levi Buckingham, John Dewey, Squire Utley, David Wager.
1834 .- Pomroy Jones, Israel S. Parker, Hiram Shays, Aaron Stafford, Ithal Thompson.
1835 .- Merit Brooks, Dan P. Cadwell, Riley Shepard, David Wager, Amos Woodworth.
1836 .- Henry Graves, John W. Hale, William Knight, Jared C. Pet- tihone, Joha Stryker.
1837 .- Levi Buckingham, Joho I. Cook, Lester N. Fowler, Andrew S. Pond.
1838 .- Russell Fuller, Henry Hearsey, Fortune C. White, James S. T. Strannhan.
1839 .- Jesee Armstrong, Ward IIunt, Amasn S. Nowberry, Israel Stoddard.
1840 .- Nelson Dawley, Anson Knihloe, Charles A. Mano, John F. Trowbridge.
1841 .- Calvin Dawley, Joseph Halleck, Luke Hitchcock, Nathaniel Odell.
1842 .- Ichabod C. Baker, Ebenezer Robbins, Horatio Seymour, De Witt C. Stevens.
1843 .- Dan. P. Cadwell, Amos S. Fasectt, David Murray, John H. Tower.
1844 .- Juste Childs, James Douglass, Richard Empey, Horatio Sey- maur.
1845 .- Andrew Billinga, Merit Brooke, Calvert Comstock, Horatio Seymour.#
1846 .- Chauncey C. Cook, Benj. F. Cooper, Daniel G. Dorrance, Russell Fuller.
1847 .- Nathan Burebard, Abel E. Chandler, Isaac Curry, Joha Deaa.
UNDER CONSTITUTION OF 1846.
First District. Second District. Third District.
Fourth District.
1848. Luke Smith. Warren Converse. B. S. Bench.
Henry Wager.
1849. Oliver Prescott. N. N. Pierce. J. M. Elwood.
C. Stevens.
1850. Wm. J. Bacon. Ralph McIntosh. R. Frazier.
1851. Jos. Benedict. Lorenzo Rouse. Lewis Rider.
Gee. Brayton.
1852. G. B. Williems. C. S. Butler.
Henry Sandford.
Jolin J. Castle.
1853. D. Gilmore. Agios O. Osborn. Julius C. Thorne. Anes C. Hall.
1854. Jos. Benedict. A. P. Cage.
D. L. Boardmau.
James Mitchell.
1855. G. D. Williams. Levi Blakeslee.
H. H. Beecher.
Daniel Walker.
1856. G. F. Fowler.
J. J. Hanchett.
T. D. Penfield.
John Halstesd.
I. Townsend.
1858. Henry R. Hart. Wm. J. McKewo. Thomas G. Ilsiley. Reaben Knight.
1859. C.M.Scholefield. Edward Loomis.
P. C. Costello.
Didymus Thomas.
1861. F. Kernan.
L. T. Marshall.
M. L. Keuyen.
William Lewis.
1862. C.M.Scholefield. Eli Avery.
D. M. Prescott.
Asa S. Sherman.
Isaac McDongall.
1864. A. B. Weaver.
Levi Blakeslee.
C. Brodock.
J. W. Donglass.
1865. A. B. Weaver.
Lorenzo Rouse.
T. D. Penfield. Geo. W. Cols.
1866. Geo. Graham.
Alva Penny.
B. N. Huntington. Silas L. Snyder.
1867. L. Blakeslee.
Ellie H. Roberts.
Geo. H. Sandford. L. W. Fisk.
1868. W.H.Chapman. Alsneon B. Cady. James Stevens.
A. Nicholson.
1869. Eli Avery. A. B. Tuttle.
James Stevens.
Erustus Ely.
1870. S. S. Lowery.
David M. Miner.
St. Pierre Jerred.
James Roberts.
1871. G.W.Chadwick. Sidney A. Bunce. Thes. Mulhull.
Isnac MeDongall.
1872. M. L. Hunger- E. Beckwith. ford. 1873. N. A. White. H. J. Coggeshall. P. H. Costello.
Daniel Walker.
1874. G.W. Chadwick. Arthur F. Brown. John J. Parry.
G. O. Jones.
1875. R. U. Sheroma. Silas T. Ives. Edward Lewis.
H. Lillybridge.
1878. R. U. Shermaa. S. Gridley. J. H. Flanngan.
Walter Ballon.
1877. Jas. Corbett.
Everett Case. Benj. D. Stone.
J. Robert Moore.
1878. Wm. Jones.
A.De V.Townsley. Cyrus D. Prescott. Robt. H. Roberts.
DELEGATES TO CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTIONS.
Convention of 1801 .- James Denn, Bezaleel Fisk, Henry Huntington. Convention of 1821 .- Ezekiel Bacon, Samuel Sidney Breege, Ilenry Huntington, Jonas Platt, Nathan Williame.
Convention of 1846 .- Hervey Brayton, Julius Cnadee, Edward Hunt- ington, Charles P. Kirkland.
Convention of 1867 .- Benjamio N. Huntington, Francis Keroan, Richard U. Sherman.
Convention of 1872 .- Commission for amending the constitution, Francis Keroad.
COUNTY OFFICERS.
District Attorneys .- The original appellation of this office was Assistant Attorney-General. The districts were seven in number, and the office was filled by the Governor and Council during pleasure. The attorney-general offici- ated personally in New York County. The office of dis- triet attorney was created April 4, 1801. In 1818 each county was made a separate district. Under the second constitution district attorneys were appointed by the court of general sessions in each county. Under the constitu- tion of 1846 the office was made clective for terms of three years.
During the 68th session, from January 7 to May 14, 1845, Mr. Seymour was Speaker of the Assembly.
Caleb Goodrich.
1857. R. U. Sherman. P. B. Babcock.
1860. J. McQuade.
Benjamin Allen. Thomas Evans.
George Williams.
T. D. Penfield.
Jeremialı Sweet.
1863. A. B. Weaver.
Geo. K. Carroll.
Albert L. Hayes.
Luther Leland.
190
HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.
From 1796 to 1801 Oneida County formed part of the 9th District, composed of Herkimer and Otsego Counties. From 1801 to 1818 it was in the 6th District, comprising Chenango, Herkimer, Lewis, Oneida, Otsego, Madison (from 1808), and Jefferson (from 1805 to 1808). Since 1818 each county has formed a district.
Thomas R. Gold, from Feh. 26, 1797, to Aug. 20, 1801; Nathan Wil- liams, appointed 1801; Joseph Kirkland, 1813; Thomas H. Hubbard, 1816; Nathan Williams, 1818; Samuel Beardsley, 1821; Hiram Denio, 1825; Ichabod C. Baker, 1834; Timothy Jeakius, 1840; Calvert Comstock, 1845 ; Calvert Comstock, 1847 ; Roscoe Conkling, 1850; Samnel B. Garvin, 1850; J. Thomas Spriggs, 1853; Henry T. Utley, 1853; Jairus H. Munger, 1856; Hiram T. Jenkins, 1859 ; Daniel Ball, 1868; Daniel C. Stoddard, 1871; M. D. Barnett, 1874; M. D. Barnett, 1877.
County Clerks .- Appointed up to 1847; elected for terms of three years since. The county clerks are keepers of the county records, and clerks of all the courts, including the Supreme Courts, for their respective counties.
Jonas Platt, 1798 ; Francis A. Bloodgood, 1802; Abrain Camp, 1813; Fraueis A. Bloodgood, 1815; Eliasaph Dorchester, 1821-22; John H. Ostrom, 1825; George Brown, 1831; John D. Leland, 1834; James Dean, 1837 ; P. Sheldon Root, 1840 ; Delos De Wolf, 1843; Patrick Mahon, 1846; Alexander Rae, 1849; Richard Hulbert, 1852; Zenas M. Howes, 1855; J. Earl Hulhert, 1858; Daniel P. Buckingham, 1861; Orson Carpenter, 1864; James C. Bronson, 1867; Liaus R. Clark, 1870; James E. Paddon, 1873; Taliesin Evans, 1876.
Sheriff's .- These officers, under the first constitution, were appointed by the Council of Appointment annually ; but no person could hold the office for more than four suc- cessive years. Under the constitution of 1821 they were elected for three years, and were ineligible for a second term. These conditions still exist.
William Colbrath, March, 1798; Elizur Mosely, December, 1798; Charles C. Brodhead, November, 1800; James S. Kip, 1804; Benajab Merrill, 1807; James S. Kip, 1808; Benajah Merrill, 1810; James S. Kip, 1811 ; Apollos Cooper, 1815; Joba B. Pense, 1819; Joha E. Hiaman, 1821-22; David Pierson, 1825; John E. Hiaman, 1828 ; Samnel M. Mott, 1831 ; Erastus Willard, 1834; Lyman Curtiss, 1837 ; David Moulton, 1840 ; Theodore S. Faxton, 1842 ; Israel S. Parker, 1843; Palmer V. Kellogg, 1844; Lester Barker, 1847 ; John R. Jones, 1850; Hugh Crocker, 1852; Calvin Hall, 1855; William J. Mckown, 1858; Hugh Crocker, 1861; David B. Danforth, 1864; George F. Weaver, 1867; Lewis Gay- lord, 1870; George Benediet, 1873; Frederick G. Weaver, 1876.
County Treasurers .- These were appointed by the Boards of Supervisors until the adoption of the constitution of 1846, since which time they have been elected for terms of three years. The following list is from the record at Rome, and goes back to 1830, anterior to which we have not been able to procure the names :
1830-41. Jay Hatheway.
1842-45. A. Bennett.
1846. W. Traey.
1858-66. Joha J. Parry, Jr.
1847-48. E. B. Armstrong.
1867-72. Charles Northup.
1849-51. Sanford Adams.
1873-78. William MePherson.
Coroner's .- This list is not entirely complete. The oaths of office are many of tliem lacking in the clerk's office, but we have made it as full as possible.
1798 .- April 1, Samuel Ensign, Lemuel Leavenworth, Eleazer House. 1799 .- April 30, Bill Smith, Lemuel Leavenworth, Samuel Easign, Eleazer House.
1800 .- Lemuel Leavenworth, Eleazer House.
1801 .- Shadrach Smith, Bill Smith. These were sworn before Hugh White, County Judge.
1803 .- Shadrach Smith, Bill Smith, George T. Klock.
1804 .- Shadrach Smith, Wells Kellogg.
1806 .- Elisha Spurr, Joho B. Pieroe.
1807 .- Solomon Evarts, John B. Pierce, Joseph Butler, E. Spurr.
1808 .-- Shadrach Smith, E, Spurr.
1809 .- Joseph Butler, Solomon Evarts, Smith, and Spurr.
1811 .- E. Spnrr.
1812 .- Jedediah H. Peck, John Herrick.
1813 .- John Hunter, John Pierce, Joha E. Hinman, Bela B. Hyde.
1814 .- Levi Green, Enoch Strong, Joba Pierce.
1815 .- J. H. Peck, B. B. Hyde, J. E. Hinmao.
1816 .- Wm. Stone, E. Spurr, J. H. Peck.
1818 .- B. B. Hyde, David Pierson.
1819 .- John Butler, Jr., Ezra S. Barnum, David Pierson, B. B. Hyde.
1820 .-- Ezra S. Barnam.
1821 .- Zeaas Howes, Charles Granger, Samuel Jones, Seely Jewell.
1822 .- E. S. Barnum, A: L. Wood, Freedom Tibbets, Stephen White, Zenas Howes.
1823 .- E. Spurr, James D. Stebbins, Preston Hilgard, C. Halladay.
1824 .- P. H. Graves (or Groves).
1825 .- Benjamin Hyde, Jr.
1826 .- Eliphalet Bailey, Robert Jones.
1832 .- Linns Sanford, Martin Rowley.
1837 .- Francis Bickoell.
1840 .- Willett Stillman, Abraham A. Barnes.
1841 .- Benjamin F. Brooks, Benjamin B. Hinkley.
1843 .- P. McCraith, Abner B. Blair, Daniel Chatfield.
1844 .- Elisha Fowler.
1846 .- Aaron B. Bligh.
1847 .- Benjamin F. Brooks, A. B. Blair, William Tompkins.
1849 .- H. H. Roberts.
1850 .- A. B. Blair, Joba R. Everett, E. B. Harris.
1851 .- S. M. Perioc, R. H. Francis.
1852 .- William H. Green.
1853 .- A. B. Blair, Joha H. Tower.
1854 .- James H. Frear.
1855 .- S. M. Perioe, Clark A. Riggs.
1856 .- John P. Vaa Vlick, Alexander Gifford.
1857 .- H. H. Roberts, J. M. Browne.
1858 .- David Donaldson.
1859 .- J. P. Vao Vliek.
1860 .- H. II. Roberts.
1861 .- Newton Graves, Jabez V. Cohb, John H. Van Ness.
1863 .- H. H. Roberts.
1864 .- Newton Graves, Saml. F. Meney, J. V. Cobb, E. A. Muager.
1865 .- W. B. Monroe.
1866 .- Charles B. Tefft.
1867 .- J. V. Cobb, E. A. Munger, W. B. Monroe.
1869 .- Evan G. Williams.
1870 .- E. J. Lawton, E. A. Munger, Christian Weiss.
1871 .- Charles B. Tefft, Wm. Meyer.
1872 .- E. G. Williams.
1873 .- Edward D. Taylor, James G. Hunt, E. J. Lawtoo.
1874 .- David Larrabee, James G. Huat.
1875 .- Chas. E. Fraser, Jr., Francis T. Gorton.
1876 .- James G. Hunt, E. J. Lawton.
1877-78 .- E. J. Lawton, E. F. Gorton, C. E. Fraser.
COUNTY SUPERINTENDENTS OF COMMON SCHOOLS,
appointed by Boards of Supervisors from 1843 to 1847, when the office was abolished.
Elon Comstock, Julius C. Thorne, Hosea Clark, Stephen Moulton, William S. Wetmore.
In 1857 the office of school commissioner was established and made elective. First election held in November, 1859. Abram B. Weaver, Harvey E. Wilcox, Mills C. Blackstone, Grove W. Bagg, Peter B. Crandall, Churles T. Pooler, Julius C. Thorne, Joshua H. Tracy, Harvey S. Bedell, Homer T. Fowler, Merritt N. Capron, Silas L. Snyder, Eugene L. Hinckley, John R. Pugh, Charles T. Burnley, Henry S. Ninde, Horaco O. Farley.
# Written also Colbraith.
1852-54. E. H. Shelley. 1855-57. J. Thomas Spriggs.
191
HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.
The county is divided into four principal districts, each of which has a superintending commissioner."
The present commissioners are :
John R. Pugh, Marcy, first district; Charles E. Howe, Clinton, sec- ond district ; Martin W. Smith, Rome, third district ; Milton W. George, Trenton, fourth district.
Each commissioner reports his own district separately and independently to the State superintendent, but the re- ports are generally very meagre and unsatisfactory through- out the State.
LOAN COMMISSIONERS.
The list of these officers is imperfect, for the same reasons which apply in the case of coroners,-the records are not complete. We give what names we have been able to find :
1824. Benjamin Hyde.
1848. C. C. Cook. J. P. Fitch.
1826. Benjamin Hyde.
1838. James D. Stebbins. John Parker.
1852. Ephraim Storrs. Jahn W. Stafford.
1840. Denio Babcock.#
1854. Mark Potter.
1842. David Babcock.#
1855-58. Andrew Jones.
1860. William E. Griffith.
1843. Parker Halleck. A. S. Newberry. A. Hazen.
1870. Israel B. Spencer. Jacob S. Ethridge.
1844. Clark Potter.
1871. Benjamin D. Stone.
1845. Parker Halleck.
1846. Clark Potter.
1873. Curtiss J. Wright. A. G. Williams.
1848. Denio Babcock. William Higby.
1878. Curtiss J. Wright. A. G. Williams.
CHAPTER XVIII.
THE LEARNED PROFESSIONS.
Medical Societies-The Early Bar of Oneida County-Educational : Early Schools, Academies, Colleges, State Institutions, Asylums -Religious : General Statistics by Denominations.
HISTORY OF THE MEDICAL SOCIETY OF ONEIDA COUNTY, FROM 1806 TO 1878.+
BY D. G. THOMAS, M.D.
MR. PRESIDENT AND GENTLEMEN :
By a resolution passed at the last annual meeting of this society, it becomes my duty, as chairman of the committee then appointed, to present to you a history of the measures employed to found and develop a compact of medical men, legalized by State authority, to care for the interests of the medical profession in Oneida County. For this purpose, it will be necessary to turn back to the preliminary steps taken by a few physicians in the counties of Saratoga, Washington, and Montgomery to understand the condi- tions or circumstances which led to the important move- ment. Those who witnessed the progressive settlement of the northern and western sections of the State can easily understand how few young men in central New York could
obtain the means necessary for an education, broad and comprehensive enough to be a good foundation for the study of medicine; consequently a large proportion of those who were successful in obtaining a license were men of but little culture, and unused to the social amenities of life. Thus poorly qualified to discharge the duties which be- longed to the profession, the struggle for business with them was a battle in which the grosser elements of humanity sought to gain a professional reputation by arrogant boast- ing of the marvelous recoveries that had been made by the remedies they had administered.
But fortunately for the profession at large, there were some whose rare endowments enabled them to reach a high position in spite of all difficulties, while others more fortu- nate had ample means to give them the necessary advan- tages, and thus secure a small army of competent and honorable practitioners. Most of them were men of marked ability, holding prominent positions not only in the town and county in which they lived, but some were leading and distinguished participants in the councils of the State. Such men as we have thus described were the founders of this society-men who were ornaments in social life, who adorned the medical profession, and with zealous enthusiasm engaged in every movement designed to benefit the profes- sion at large, and to establish on an enduring basis the science of our noble calling.
In 1796 a series of articles were published in the news- papers of Saratoga, advocating the plan of having medical societies organized by law to advance the interests of medi- cal science; and at the same time to be a safeguard against the impositions of empiricism. A society was formed to carry out the proposed measure ; but for the want of inter- est in its projects, and the discordant materials of which it was composed, the year of its birth was the grave of the premature effort. All movements either in social or pro- fessional life that look like innovations on old and estab- lished customs require time, discussion, and thought to educate the human mind to a full understanding of the scope and measure of such needed changes, and bring them to act in concert and in good faith to establish the new principle of action.
Previous to the year 1806 the medical profession in this State had no sbield of law to guide its actions or protect its interests. The few practitioners who had become emi- nent in spite of the difficulties with which they were sur- rounded, had little power to elevate and dignify the profes- sion without the aid of legal rights secured by law. What did it matter if the old country law had thrown its pro- tecting arm around the profession, and given it a place among the kindred sciences, whilst here no legislative act had been invoked to guard its interests, and draw a line of separation between the pretending charlatan and the high- minded, honorable, and conscientious physician ? It was during this period of disorder, when law had no voice to proclaim the duties, or power to enforce the special rights of medical men, that a second and successful effort was made to place the members of the profession under the restraints of law.
Through the exertions of Dr. Stearns and a few medical men of Saratoga County, a meeting was held at Ballston,
" These names are obscure, and may he identical.
t At the annual meeting of the Medical Society of the County of Oneida, July, 1877, a committee of three was appointed lo prepare a history of the society from its organization in 1806 to the present lime, July, 1878. Drs. Thomas, Guiteau, and Whaley were ap- pointed to prepare and report such history. Dr. Thomas was chair- man of the committee.
192
HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.
the 7th of November, 1805, when William Patrick, John Stearns, and Grant Powell were appointed a committee to correspond with leading men in Washington and Mont- gomery Counties to get the sanction of the Legislature of the State for organizing medical societies. The 7th day of January, 1806, a meeting of the medical men of the three counties was held, and a memorial to the State Legislature was adopted and signed. Drs. Asa Fitch, of Washington, John Stearns, of Saratoga, and Alexander Sheldon, of Montgomery, were appointed a committee to present a memorial to the Legislature. This memorial asked the Legislature to give sanction to the societies formed in the
three counties. Fortunately for the cause of science, Alexander Sheldon was chosen speaker, and gave the weight of his commanding position to the interests of the memo- rial. The committee assumed the responsibility, during the deliberations on this measure, of changing the original plan, and asking for a general law embracing the whole State instead of the three counties first named in the memorial. This memorial was presented to the Legislature on the 25th day of February, 1806, and referred to a committee consisting of William Livingston and Isaac Sargent, of Washington ; Gordon Huntington, of Otsego; John Ely, of Green ; and Jocl Frost, of Westchester. The majority of this committee were physicians deeply interested in the proposed measure, and they succeeded in maturing a bill for a general law of incorporation for the State. This bill was reported to the House and met with strong opposition, but finally passed both Houses and became the law of the State.
In accordance with the provisions of this act, a meeting of the physicians of Oneida County was called at Rome, July 1, 1806, and the call was responded to by 29 of the physi- cians of the county, to organize the Oneida County Medi- cal Society. Amos G. Hull was elected president ; Sewal Hopkins, vice-president ; David Hasbrouck, secretary ; Seth Hastings, treasurer ; and Caleb Sampson, delegate to the State Society ; Francis Guiteau, Matthew Brown, Wel- come Sayles, Elnathan Judd, and Sherman Bartholomew, censors. The anniversary was fixed for the first Tuesday in July, to be held at Utica, and Seth Hastings, Sewal Hopkins, and Caleb Sampson were appointed to prepare by- laws for the society.
It is interesting to turn our thoughts back to the time when twenty-nine of the physicians of the county left their business and traveled over the bad roads of that early day fifteen and twenty miles to organize a medical society in con- formity to the recent law of the State. It is difficult in these days of casy transit to realize the fatigue and hard- ship they endured, or the professional enthusiasm which urged them forward in the face of so many obstacles, to complete the task. The great impulse to their exertions lay in the unfolding of new principles of action, in bringing before them a new theatre for the display of professional ability ; for now their rights were secured by law, and a line of demarkation was established by State authority, separating in a great measure the unqualified and the qualified medical practitioners. It has been my fortune to meet several of the men who were actors in this first meet- ing, and to know something of their character from per- soDal observation. They were men fitted for the times in
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