History of Oneida County, New York : with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 64

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 64

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" I distinctly recall the occasion of placing the first great eottoo- picker in positiun in an annex to the main building of the Oneida Factory, and the great excitement and enthusiasm produced by the appearance of the fleeey cloud of cotton as it emerged from the long wooden trunk of the machine, and sprend itself over the entire room of gauze constructed to receive it. The introduction of this machine eonelituted an epoch in the history of the cotten industry, as did also the cotten-gin, and gave great impetus to the production and manu- facture of this article.

"The next cotton-factory was the Capron Factory, crected in New Hartford, which closely followed upen the Oneida Factory, both of which were established hy Dr. S. Capron, and of both of which he was the largest proprietor. Associated with him in this work were Jerciuinh Van Rensselaer, Asubel Seward, and others. Elisha Capron, his brother, who had raised a company for the defense of Sacket's Harbor, is mentioned in Bagg's History as never having returoed from that place ; but this is an error, as he not only returned, but was subsequently associated with Dr. Capron in the management of the Capron Factory.

" Dr. Bagg states the Capron Factory went into. operation in 1814, which is, I am sure, also an error, as I well remember the building of the factory, and that here was used the first power-loom, for weaving cotton, erested in the Empire State, which was abont 1812; and although the mill was not in full operation, much of the machinery was running, and had been for some time. The loom was built by an ingenions icchanie from drawings he had made from one he had recently inspected in Slater's Factory in Rhode Island. My recol- lection of the trials and tribulations attending the starting of the loom is stilt vivid,-how I accompanied my father in his daily visits to the work, and how anxious he was for its perfect success, which, how- sver, was not assured for several years. At this period Benjamin S. Walcott, who was still agent for the Oneida Factory, commenced the manufacture of cotton-yarn in an old wooden building, known as the Burr-Stone Mills, for grinding grain, and oo whose site now stands the New York npper mill. These factories seen began to attract much notice, and became a Mecca of interest, distinguished people from different parts of the State arriving constantly to view their won- derful workings. Among others from a distance were Governor Bloodgoedt and Colonel Elisha Jenkins, who came from Albany in private carriages, with their families. In that primitive condition of society the arrival of a gentleman's traveling equipage was a rare sight, and one that created great seasation, The lasting impression made upon myself, then a boy of seven or cight summers, as these showy equipages drew up in front of my father's residence, may readily be imagined. As also present on this occasion, I distinctly recall Counselor Gold, Newton Mann, and] Theodore Sill.

" Up to this time the power-loom for weaving cotton eloth, though in existence, was not in successful operation. It is truc experiments were being made with this machine by Slater and others, but as yet not generally in nse in the State of New York. A step had been made in this line, however, by the erection of a large building, in which were placed a number of hand-looms. These were operated by experts brought from England and Scotland, and the work of con- verting into cloth the yarn spun in the Oneida Factory, which had hitherto been distributed throughout the country, was concentrated in this establishment. Among these experts was a Scotchman named Pye, whose special occupation was that of weaving cotton counter- panes, ao article much prized by housekeepers as being both nseful

t There was no Governor or Lientenant- Governor of New York, by this name. The Governor at that date was Daniel D. Tompkins, and the Lieutenant-Governor either John Tayler or De Witt Clinton. (See New York Civil List for 1814.)

HISTORIAN.

# Thomas R. Gold, a prominent attorney.

244

HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

and ornamental. The weaving of these with lioos, Lombardy pop- lars, and other figures in high relief, was then considered a wonderful achievement. On the occasion of the Governor's visit, as this work- man was plying his trade, it became necessary for him to replenish his shuttle with a fresh bobbio, in doing which he had to suck the thread through the eye of the shuttle; and well do I remember the Governor's remark at the moment: 'Is that the way you do it,' said his excellency ; to which the Scot replied, 'Yes, may it please your honor, the poor weaver has maoy a dry sup,' which apt response chicited from the distinguished visitor a silver dollar as a douceur to the witty work man.

" Another incident, still fresh in my memory, is that the Governor and his party gave orders for complete outfits in the line of the fig- urel counterpanes for their respective households, and I doubt not that some of these articles are still in possession of some of the de- scendants of the party in question.

"The crection of the woolen-factory at Oriskany must have been contemporaneous, or nearly so, with the Oncida factory, since, from the best evidence I can command, work upon. the forioer was begun in 1809, two years before a charter for the incorporation of the cater- prise could be obtained from the State Legislature. It is to this fact that the period of the commencement of this work has been by some erroneously credited to IS11, instead of 1809,-the actual time of its inauguration. In this I am sustained by Seth Newton Dexter and Hon. Mr. Dudley. In a paper read before the Historical Society of New York the latter says, with regard to the trade (manufactures) in New York State, that the first woolen-factory was built by Dr. Seth Capron, in Oneida County, about the year 1809, and shortly afterwards others spraog up in Hudson, Columbia, and other counties. This is confirmed hy Dexter, who, in a paper on the subject, gives dates and many important facts in connection with cotton- and woolen-mills erected by my father. Mr. Dexter ought certainly to be informed on this subject, as he came to Whitestown at a very carly period in its history, arriving from Boston in a gig and tandem, which brought also his wife and all his earthly possessions. He was subsequently identified with the woolen manufacturing interests of that county.

" It is not generally known that the idea of the Oriskany Factory originated from a small mill, erected at a very early period, at Whet- more's# Mills, for carding wool for the country. My father's idea, suggested by this small beginning, was that the establishment of manufactures on a permanent basis was indispensable to the in lepend- ence of the natioo. Thoroughly convinced of the correctness of this view, he at once entered into correspondence with Governor Bloodgood,t De Witt Clinton, Elisha Jenkins, Thaddeus B. Wakeman, Gerrit G. Lansing, Stephen Van Rensselaer, and other prominent gentlemen of that day, the result of which was the inauguration in the State of New York of a great woolen industry. Many difficulties were eu- countered at the outset of this enterprise. Everything was to be created, and everything learned. Capital available for such work was exceedingly limited, while machinery, and workinen experienced in all its branches, could not be obtained on this side of the water. The first spindles used in this mill were brought from England, and with them a Scotchman named William Goss, experienced in their working. A practical haod-loom weaver of satinets and broadeloths, hy the name of William Graham, and an expert in the varied and difficult work of finishing the goods woven, by the name of Sharp, were also importe 1, together with various other workmen in the several branches of woolen mnoufactures. These men and their descendants have been Icaders in the manufacture of woolens in the State of New York to the present time. One of the number, Mr. James Graham, put into operation in the mill in question the first power-loom for weaving woolen yarn ever used in this country ; while another, Mr. James Goss, performed in that factory the first work by machinery in the manufacture of wool erer done in the United States.

"The first importation into Oucida County of merino sheep must have been at a very early period, and soon after the Oriskany Factory was projected, since the factory was mainly dependent upon the Mount Merino Association for its supply of wool. This association originated with my father, with whom were associated Thomas R. Gold (or Counselor Gold, as he was called), Newton Mann, Thaddeus B. Wake- man, Colonel Jenkins, of Albany, and others. Tho capital stock of

the association was $40,000. Some of the sheep were imported from Spain at fabulous prices, $1000 heiog paid for a single buck, 'Don Pedro;' and a like price for nnother, 'Don Carlos;' while $600 was the price each of several other sheep on board at place of shipment. Taking into consideration the large price paid for a single sheep, cost of attendance, risk by sea and land, and time required to place the stock in Oneida County, under the then existing circumstances, it will be readily seon that the importation of wool-producing animals was no trifling undertaking. During the war and the embargo, how- ever, the caterprise was excecilingly remunerative.

"The sheep were bred and cared for oo farias belonging to Dr. Capron, in Deerfield, directly across the Mohawk River from Oriskany, and after the most approved methods. They were separated ioto flocks of a hundred each. Io winter shelter was provided for thein, aod every convenience for feeding, while the arrangements for the care of the ewes and young lambs in the early spring were perfect. In summer the pastures were subdivided to allow frequent changes, which was conceded to be very important for the health of the stock.

"The spring washing of the sheep before shearing took place in the Mohawk River, aod well do I remember this operation. At the shearing every regard was had to exactness of detail. The fleeces were graded according to fineness, the qualities being rated as half, three-quarters, seven-eighths, and full-bloodled ; it was then rolled, tagged, and sent to the factory to be manufactured into broadcloths, cassimeres, and satiocts. The value of the wool was from nine to ten shillings per pound ; satinets brought $3.50 to $7.00, and broadcloths from $10.00 to $15.00 per yard. These prices, of course, made the investment of the Mount Merino Association and factory a paying institution, and particularly so during the war aod the continu- ance of the embargo; but on the establishment of peace, and the opening of our ports, the introduction of foreign woolens soon so materially reduced the demand for domestic productions that the wool produced by the association could find no market. As a natural re- solt the factory discootinued its operations. Too well do I remember this melancholy period, and especially the sad sequel, which was the killing of some two thousand costly sheep for their pelts, their fleece not paying the expense of their keeping.

" The following incident in connection with the first importation of the merino sheep may not be out of place. Counselor Gold, Colooel Jenkins (I think), and Dr. Capron had each imported from Spain a full-blooded merino ram. On arrival at Whitesboro', Counselor Gold had his fioe buck placed temporarily in his front yard, which was beautifully laid out, and of which he was quite proud. At the time, Mr. Newton Mann, & near neighbor, had a cosset sheep. Though very tame, the pet was exceedingly troublesome, frequently trespassing upoo the counselor's grounds. Complaints had often beco made to Mr. Mano of the depredations of his sheep, when finally he was informed that the counselor intended to kill the favorite should it again he found trespassing on his premises. Mr. Mann sent back word for the counselor to carry out his intentions without hesitation. Mr. Gold's coachman, Toney, was very nenr- sighted, as was also his employer. One day Toncy espied a sheep in the yard, when, without waiting to investigate, he informed the counselor of the fact. 'Shoot him dowo, Toney,' said Mr. Gold, whereupon tho coachman seized his gun, and, taking de- liberate aim, according to the emphatic directions of his employer, blazed away. The explosion over, Mr. Maan was summoned to re- move the dead body of his pet, when, lo! the troublesome animal was found uninjured, and followed its master to view the victim of the too zealous Toney, who had killed the counselor's thousand dollar ram.

"In conclusion, I may be pardoned for indulging in a few filial sentiments in regard to my father, of whom the fact is well estab- lished that while he devoted much of his time and coergy to the in- troduction, and establishment on a permanent basis, of at least two of the great industries to which New York State owes no inconsider- able portion of its wealth, his devotion to these enterprises was prompted by patriotic motives rather than by those which usually stimulate to industrial pursuits.

" Dr. Seth Capron was born in Massachusetts. At the time of the country's greatest peril he was too young to be subject to draft, and too short in staturo to pass the inspection at muster ; nevertheless, and as evidence of his patriotism, it is known that he mannged, hy elevating himself on his toes, to pass the mustering officer, and that he was shortly afterwards at the siege of Newport, where he was attached

# Probably Wetmore.

+ This gentleman must have been Governor of some adjacent State. Possibly it should be written Gouverneur, a proper name.

245

HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

to General Lafayette's corps of light infantry. Here it was that he first heard the music of artillery, and where a cannon-shot, in- tended for Lafayette, just grazed his bond. Attached to Captain Holbrook's company of Massachusetts troops, Colonel Price's regi- ment, young Capron took part in the battle of White Pluins, West- chester Co., N. Y. He was soon afterwards ordered to the head- quarters of the army, at West Point, where he was attached to the non-commissioned stoff of General Washington, under whom he served during the remainder of the war. Commanding the barge which conveyed the Father of his Country to Elizabethtown Point, after he had taken leave of the army at New York at the close of the war, Capron was the last man who received the geocral's benediction when he landed.

" Immediately on returning home my father began the study of medicine with Dr. Bezaleel Mann, an eminent physician of that pe- riod, and in due time entered upon its practice. In 1806 he settled io Whitesboro', Oneida Co., N. Y., where, by diligent attention to his profession, and judicious investment of savings from his income, he had necumulated quite a competency. As already stated, in 1807 be commenced the work for the establishment of mannfactures by laying the foundation of the first cotton, and shortly afterwards that of tho first (us I coatend) woolen, factory ever erceted in the United States. In 1825 he removed to Orange County and established the beautiful manufacturing town of Walden, on the Wallkill, where he died in 1835, aged seventy-four years.

" The following is his obituary ns taken from one of the periodicals of that day.

"I am very truly yours,

" HonACE CAPAON."

"OBITUARY. .

" Died on Friday last, at Walden, Orange County, aged seventy- four, Dr. Setb Capron, after on illness of about thirty hours. He was a native of Massachusetts, and took part in the Revolutionary war, ranking among the favorites of General Washington. 1Ie many years since removed from Rhode Island, and settled in Whitesboro', Oneida County, where he formed a company, and erected the first cotton-fae- tory that was put io operation in this State. He afterwards organized a company, and established the Oriskany Woolen-Factory.

"Dr. Capron was a man of great integrity and moral worth, and uncommon ardor, enterprise, and industry. Few men have had more active lives, and few have effected more.

"His name will he identified with the history of the manufactures of the State of New York. To Dr. Seth Capron is Oneida County in- debted for much of that abundance she is now reaping from her splen- did factories.

"Their introduction into that county was effected by great perso- verance, and against prejudices and obstacles that would have dis- couraged most meo. His open, manly, conciliating conduct enahled him to triumph. The project was branded as visionary and ruinons by a portion of that community; but soon the benefits began to be realized : industry was promoted, wealth followed, and all were com- pelled to approve.

" A few years since he visited Walden. The fine water-power run- ning to waste tempted him to establish himself in that village. There he was the principal agent in establishing a large woolen manufac- ture, and also, with his soo, a cotton-factory.

" He was instrumental in giving life to this now flourishing village, and, above all, he was iadefatigable in propagating sound morals amung his newly-adopted fellow-citizens, and particularly in temper- ance.

" His mild persuasive manaers, and the bonesty and goodness of his purposes were manifest in all his conduct, and the uniform correct- ness of his example gave him wonderful influence over the villagers. Obedience followed his will as if be had been invested with absolute power.

" Ifis circle of friends was numerous in other parts of the country, among whom be was heloved and respected. His death will he de- plored by a most estimable and affectionate family, and the village of Walden will long mouro for him as a father."

INDUSTRY AND WEALTH.

Area, Acreage, etc .- The total area of the county in square miles and acres is given variously by different authori- ties. For instance, the United States census of 1870 makes

it 653,542 acres, equivalent to 1021} square miles ; the State Gazetteer gives the square miles at 1215, which is equivalent to 777,600 acres; the State census of 1875 makes the acreage 704,363, equal to 1100} square miles ; while the number of acres as shown by the assessment of 1869 is 740,122, equal to 1156} square miles. The cstimate by the State Gazetteer probably includes all the land and water surface of the county, while the other esti- mates leave out the area occupied by cities and villages, and the water surface.

Valuation .- According to the assessment of 1869, the total value of all property assessed for taxation in that year was $18,508,836. The true valuation, as fixed by a com- mittee of the board of supervisors for 1877, was $73,853,- 631 ; the value according to the United States census of 1870 was $45,912,258; and according to the State census of 1875 and other authorities it was, including church property, as follows, specified by classes of property :

Dwellings

$38,526,082

Farms,

40,211.650

Farm buildings, other than dwellings

4,571,453

Stock

5,167,913

Tools and implements.

1,293,191

Manufactures (census of 1870).

11,508,438

Railways (assessors' figures, 1869)

1,360,765

Church property (census of 1875)

2,533,600

Total .$105,173,092

This estimate, as will be noticed, does not take into account school nor personal property, which would probably amount to about $3,000,000 additional. No estimate is placed upon State, connty, and other public property, such as the Erie Canal, asylums, county buildings, etc.

The total number of farms in Oneida County, as returned by the State census of 1875, was 8119, which, according to the assessed acreage in farms for 1869, 736,305, would give an average of about 91 acres to each.

The real value of the county by towns, as fixed by the supervisors for 1877, is shown in the following table, copied from the committee's report, as published in one of the Utica daily papers :

Annsville.

$964,960

Angusta.

1,360,660

Avn

473,267

Boonville

1,978,911

Bridgewater

1,054,262

Camden

1,896,866

Deerfield.

1,907,413

Florence .

1,019,586

Floyd

1,060,225 373,951

Forestport.

3,272,862

Lee

1,176,828

Marcy

1,330,871

Marshall.

1,803,830

New Hartford

2,774,020

Paris

2,281,285

Remsen

721,297

Rome

7,117,411

Sangerfield

2,145,654

Steuben

947,992

Trenton

2,415,351

Utica

21,512,117

Vernon.

2,065.074

Verona.

3,807,680

Vienna

1,119,965

Western

1,381,831

Westmoreland

2,017,047

Whitestown

3,872,415

Total $73,853,631

Agricultural Productions, etc .- According to the State

Kirkland

246

HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

census of 1875, there were 704,363 acres of land assessed in the county, of which 501,099 were improved, 135,369 woodland, and 67,895 acres unimproved. There were 85,018 acres of plowed lands, 235,587 acres in pasture, 165,420 acres in mowing lands, 2851 acres in barley, 2541 acres in buckwheat, 16,142 acres in Indian corn, 34,560 aeres in oats, 1785 acres in rye, 619 acres in spring wheat, 3127 acres in winter wheat, 2064 acres in corn for fodder, 331 acres of beans, 276 acres of peas, 6600 acres in hops, 13,572 acres in potatoes, 5 acres in tobacco. The amount of gross sales from farms was $4,569,684. Tons of hay produced, 209,097 ; bushels of grass seed, 569; bushels of barley, 61,435 ; bushels of buck wheat, 45,407 ; bushels of Indian corn, 465,605; bushels of oats, 1,069,121 ; bushels of rye, 32,410; bushels of spring wheat, 9129; bushels of winter wheat, 60,850; bushels of beans, 5776; bushels of peas, 5811 ; pounds of hops, 3,101,958 (being the largest amount produced by any county in the State) ; bushels of potatoes, 1,345,704; pounds of tobacco, 3850. Number of apple-trees, 439,758 ; bushels of fruit, 538,889 ; barrels of cider, 17,775; pounds of grapes, +2,089; gallons of wine, 658; pounds of maple-sugar, 82,252; gallons of syrup, 7671 ; pounds of honey, 28,797. Farm stock : horses, all ages, 16,293; mnles, 227; neat cattle (all ani- mals except milch cows), 31,754; milch cows, 59,947 ; cattle slaughtered in 1874, 3507 ; number of sheep shorn, 18,176 ; lambs raised, 15,087 ; sheep slaughtered in 1874, 1895 ; sheep killed by dogs, 648 ; swine in county, 24,836 ; swine slaughtered on farms, 14,979; pounds of pork, 3,763,404. Poultry (value owned), $82,427 ; value sold, $44,496; value of eggs sold, $70,652. Dairy products : butter made in families, 3,401,227 pounds ; cheese, ditto, 439,638 pounds; milk sold in market, 621,726 gallons. Pounds of wool, 78,532.

In agricultural productions Oneida County ranks as fol- lows in the State: in hay, second ; in barley, nineteenth ; in buckwheat, thirty-first; in Indian corn, eighteenth ; in oats, eighth ; in rye, nineteenth ; in spring wheat, twenty- fifth ; in winter wheat, twenty-fifth ; in hops, first ; in pota- toes, fifth ; in products of apple orchards, sixteenth ; in production of maple-sugar, twenty-second. In stock, Oneida County ranks as follows : horses on farms, sixth ; in value of poultry, about ninth ; in number of milch cows, third ; in other neat cattle, fourth; in production of butter,* ninth ; in production of cheese, sixth ; in amount of milk sold, twelfth ; in number of sheep, thirty-second; in num- ber of hogs, tenth.

Statistics of Butter and Cheese Factories for 1874, from State Census .- Total number of establishments, 81 ; amount of capital invested, $179,566; amount of wages paid, $+1,606; average number of cows, 24,274; number of days in the season, about 220; average number of pat- rons, 1735; total number of pounds of milk used during the season, 74,880,082 ; pounds of milk used in making cheese, 71,242,650 ; pounds of cheese made, 7,176,337; pounds of milk used in making butter, 3,637,432 ; pounds of butter made, 54,000; pounds of skimmed cheese made, 270,000.

These products are exclusive of butter and cheese manu- factured in families. It will be seen that the great bulk of the business is confined to the manufacture of cheese, in which product Oneida County ranks third in the State ; Herkimer county standing first, with 9,212,428 pounds, and Jefferson second, with 7,610,499 pounds.

Oneida County stands second in the cash value of farms and improvements, second in the total value of its stock, fourth in the acreage of improved farms, and fourth in the value of its farm-buildings other than dwellings. It stands first in the gross sales of farm products, third in acreage of pasture lands, third in acreage of mowing lands, and second in number of tons of hay produced.

ONEIDA COUNTY BIBLE SOCIETY.

The original of this society was the "Oneida Bible So- ciety," which was organized in the Presbyterian church in Utiea, on the 15th of November, 1810,-being six years older than the American Bible Society. Rev. Amos G. Baldwin presided at the meeting. Rev. James Carnahan, George Huntington, and Erastus Clark were appointed a committee to draft a constitution, which was presented and adopted unanimously, and which, with a few minor amend- ments, is still its organic law. Its first article, which was made a fundamental law that could not be repealed, defines the object of the society to be "the distribution of the Holy Scriptures in the common version, without note or com- ment." The carliest officers were Jonas Platt, of Whites- boro', president ; Rev. Asahel S. Norton, of Clinton, vice- president ; Rev. James Carnahan, secretary ; Rev. Amos G. Baldwin, treasurer. There were also sixteen directors, as follows, divided equally between the clergy and the laymen : George Huntington and Rev. Moses Gillet, of Rome; Rev. Abraham Williams, Arthur Breese, Morris S. Miller, Erastus Clark, Jeremiah Van Rensselaer, of Utica ; Rev. Oliver Wetmore, of Holland Patent; Dr. Elnathan Judd and Henry MeNcil, of Paris ; Rev. James Kells, of Westmoreland; John Linklaen, of Cazenovia; Rev. Israel Brainard, of Verona; Rev. Samuel F. Snowden, of New Hartford; Rev. Caleb Douglas, of Whitesboro', and Rev. James Southworth, of Bridgewater.

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History of Oneida County, New York : with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 64

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