History of Onondaga County, New York, Part 57

Author: Clayton, W.W. (W. Woodford)
Publication date: 1878
Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y., D. Mason & Co.
Number of Pages: 840

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Before the erection of this block-house, so great had been the alarm that the people fled from their houses and took refuge in what was then known as Thompson's Sugar Bush, where they remained three days and nights.

The block-house was manned by a volunteer in- dependent company called the " Grenadiers," raised by Jonathan Russell, of Pompey, who was Captain. Anson Jackson was Lieutenant and Jonathan Bond, Ensign. The garrison was furnished with a field-

piece (a six-pounder , small arms, ammunition, ra- tions, &c., from the Commissary Department of the State, by order of Governor Clinton. A depot was established at Jeremiah Jackson's mills, near James- ville, and warlike implements and stores deposited there, and all male persons over fourteen years of age were required to hold themselves in readiness for any emergency. " Minute men" were also or- ganized by drafting three men from each militia company on the Military Tract, and armed from the depot at Jackson's Mills. In case of any sudden assault or attack they were to proceed without a moment's delay to the place of danger.

On the 14th of June, 1794, the general alarm was greatly increased by the roar of cannon at Fort On- tario, (Oswego,) which was then in the hands of the British, and .they were that day celebrating the birth-day of King George III. The firing of the cannon was distinctly heard throughout the castern part of the county. Many were almost distracted with fear and went running to and fro enquiring of every person they met whether the enemy were in sight. Soon news arrived of the true cause of the firing and the agonies of fear were succeeded by demonstrations of joy.

One thing which acted as the immediate cause of this great alarm was, that early in the spring of 1794, Sir John Johnson had been passing from Al- bany to Oswego with a boat load of supplies for his Mohawk settlement then recently made on Grand River, and had been waylaid and plundered near Three River Point by a party of some thirty or forty men. Johnson, highly incensed, proceeded to Oswego, where the British garrison was still kept, and there related the story of his wrongs. This at once aroused the ire of the British officers, and it was forthwith determined that Johnson and Brant should at once raise a body of soldiers and Indians in Canada and make a sudden descent upon the Onondaga settlements, where it was presumed most of the aggressors resided. Indians soon gathered in considerable numbers in the vicinity of Niagara and Oswego, and it was reported that five hundred Messasagues were on their way to destroy the set- tlements in this county. At this time, too, a num- ber of disaffected Onondagas had joined the West- ern Indians against General Wayne, expecting, as a matter of course, that Wayne would be defeated, as had been his predecessors, Generals Harmar and St. Clair, and in which case they were all to return and with the remaining Onondagas assist the com- mon enemy in the destruction of the Onondaga set- tlements.

The action of the British garrison at Oswego in

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HISTORY OF ONONDAGA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

assuming the right to levy and collect duties on all American boats passing the fort, was the exciting cause which led the party of Americans to commit the aggressive act complained of upon the boat. The British had employed persons as spies to give notice of any boats which designed to " run" the fort, and through their agency several boats had been seized and confiscated ; two of these spies had also been seized and publicly whipped at Salt Point. This state of things produced much angry excite- ment throughout the county. However, after con- siderable tumultuous contention, satisfaction as far as possible was rendered, which had the effect of restoring a better state of feeling. The aggressors were severely reprehended by a large majority of the inhabitants, and kept concealed for a long time fear- ing the vengeance of the law. The successful campaign of General Wayne in Ohio fully restored confidence throughout the country ; the differences between the United States and Great Britain were happily settled by Mr. Jay's treaty the following year ; and the final removal of the British garrison from Oswego put an end to all further disturbance in this quarter.

INCIDENT OF THE WAR OF 1812.

During the War of 1812 the people at Salina felt themselves quite insecure, owing to the easy com- munication between them and Lake Ontario, and the possibility that the fort at Oswego might be taken by the British. The fact also that soldiers were sent this way for the defence of that garrison tended to excite their apprehensions and enlist their interest in the security of the fort. An incident is told illustrating the dispatch and patriotism of the women of those times. An officer of the Ameri- can army sent word to Mrs. Ball, whose husband kept a public house on Salina street near Wolf, that he wished dinner for himself and men within three hours from that time. She immediately set about preparing for the meal, and when the men arrived placed before them three enormous chicken pies, with an eagle of pastry on the top of each, having a cranberry in its mouth and surmounted by thir- teen stars.

TOWN AND VILLAGE OF SALINA LAID OUT.

In 1797, the State took formal charge of the Salt Springs. In that year a law was passed author- izing the Surveyor-General to lay out a portion of the Reservation for the purpose of making provision for the manufacture of salt. A portion of the marsh and upland was laid out on a map and named Salina. In 1798, a village was laid out and called Salina ; and when the town was set off and organized by

act of March 27, 1809, that was also named Salina. At the organization of the county, in 1794, the ter- ritory embraced in the town of Salina was compre- hended in the original townships of Manlius and Marcellus ; and after the town of Onondaga was set off, in 1798, and the township of Marcellus was or- ganized as a town, that portion of the Reservation not included in Onondaga, on the west side of the lake and creek, was attached to Camillus. At the organization of the town of Salina, in 1809, a tri- angular piece of ground, containing nine and a half lots, was taken from the northwest corner of Man- lius, which, with the Salt Springs Reservation, con- stituted the town of Salina. Geddes and Syracuse were taken from Salina March 18, 1848, reducing the town to its present dimensions.

VILLAGE OF SALINA.

In 1798, the Superintendent of the Salt Springs was directed by law to lay out the village of Salina conformably to the map made by the Surveyor- General. The act was in the following words, viz :

" Be it enacted, that the Superintendent shall, on the ground adjoining the south side of Free street, so named on the map of the Salt Springs made by the Surveyor-General, lay out a square for a village, consisting of sixteen blocks, each six chains square, with intermediate streets, conforming to the streets laid down on the said map made by the Surveyor- General, and divide each lot into four house-lots and deliver a map and description thereof to the Sur- veyor-General, who, having approved thereof, shall thereupon proceed to advertise and sell, not exceed- ing thirty of the said lots, in the manner prescribed by law for the sale of the lots laid out in Oswego. " Provided, that none of the said lots shall be sold for a less sum than forty dollars, and provided also that no lot on which there is a building of the value of fifty dollars shall be liable to be sold, if the owner or occupant thereof shall agree to secure a deed therefor and pay for the same at the average price of other lots sold as aforesaid."

The village was laid out, and lots sold on credit in 1799. Those who had not paid up in 1801, had the time of their payment extended by law. The earliest and most considerable merchants were John Carpenter, Elisha and Dioclesian Alvord, Fisher Curtis, Richard Goslin, Richard C. Johnson, and Davenport Morey. Timothy Gilchrist, Adam Trask, and Cornelius Schouton, kept the first taverns. In 1812, there were three public houses and twelve stores in the place. These latter, in addi- tion to names mentioned, were kept by Dennis Mayo, Thomas Mccarthy, Thomas Wheeler, Horace Brace, Jonathan and William Baldwin, and others. Isham West early established himself here as a hatter. Samuel P. Smith was a prominent cabinet

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IHISTORY OF ONONDAGA COUNTY, NEW YORK

maker. Mr. David Brace came in 1794. When a boy, he carried the mail on horseback from Onon- daga Ilollow to Oswego, finding his way through the wilderness by marked trees

Salina may not have been the better or the worse for having been the home of Dean Richmond, but it is a fact that he once lived here. Captain Wil- liam Stewart, Dean Richmond, and Russell Buck- ley, carried the first boat load of salt from this place to Utica by the Erie Canal.

After the Oswego Canal passed through,( 1827,) Exchange street became the important street and center of business. The store of Dioclesian Alvord stood upon the northwest corner of Salina and Free streets, and was built of brick ; that of Fisher Curtis was on the southwest corner, opposite. The stores of Richard C. Johnson, Davenport Morey, and Thomas Mccarthy, stood near the old reservoir. The store of B. Byington stood upon the opposite side of the street, fronting the lake. H. Brace, D. Brace, D. Mayo, and J. Baldwin, were on Salina street.

ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE.

Salina at an early day, in common with all im- perfectly organized frontier settlements, had its in- cidents of the administration of law which were at once amusing and salutary. The first Justice of the Peace was Ryal Bingham, Esq., who moved to Salina from Three River Point in 1797. A good anecdote is told of him, to this effect : A man had been brought before him charged with stealing, whom he proceeded to try, and upon evidence found him guilty. Flogging occurred to him as the most summary and expeditious method of punishment, and perhaps the example of the whipping of the British spies was still fresh in his mind. At all events, he sentenced the man to receive a certain number of stripes on the bare back. But no one was found to execute the sentence The resolute justice, however, determined not to be defeated, and, assum- ing the role of executioner as well as judge, he in- flicted the prescribed number of stripes with his own hands, to the great discomfiture of the thief.

Andrew Phares, who came to Salina in 1796, was Justice of the Peace from 1808 to 1821. In 1805 he was commissioned Ensign of a militia regiment. He died May 16, 1843, aged 82 years. His wife, nee Ruth Biles, whom he brought to Salina in 1797, with their daughter, Lois Nancy, then one year old, made a trip to New Brunswick, N. J. on horseback about the year 1812, when there was scarcely a wagon road in the whole distance.

David W. Hollister, who married Ruth Phares, daughter of the above, in 1815, came to Salina in

1Sos. Hle built the first saw mill at Geddes, and was a soldier in Captain Thomas Wheeler's company at Oswego in 1814. His son, James W. Hollister, born at Geddes in 1822, and who has resided within the present city of Syracuse since 1828, was Deputy Sheriff from 1865 to 18;7.

SALINA INCORPORATED.

The village of Salina was incorporated March 12, 1824. At the first charter election Fisher Curtis, Henry C. Rossiter, James Shankland and Jonathan R Beach, were elected Trustees. Fisher Curtis was appointed President : Ashbel Kellogg, Clerk ; S R. Mathews, Collector ; Horace Bruce, Treasurer, and J. G. Forbes, Attorney Among the first acts of the Trustees was to procure a fire engine, hooks, ladders, and a general apparatus for extinguishing fres. The laying out and improving the streets was also early attended to by the Board. By the book of records it appears that the first Board of Trustees were not unmindful of their duty. but went zealously into the work assigned them, and made many improvements which laid the foun- dation of the future prosperity of the village.

In 1825, Thomas MeCarthy, William Beach, B. F. Williams, Sylvester F. Peck, and E. M. Knapp, were elected Trustees. In 1826, the following : Thomas Mccarthy, E. M. Knapp, B. F. Williams, S. F. Peck, William H. Beach. Trustees ; Thomas McCarthy, President.

The village of Salina continued an independent corporation till 1847, when it was incorporated in Syracuse, becoming the First Ward of the city. The institutions which had their origin in this vil- lage and still continue as parts of Syracuse are considered in the history of that city.

LIVERPOOL.

The early settlement at this place was called " Little Ireland," and was early a point of consid- erable notoriety as a salt manufacturing locality. The village was laid out by the Surveyor-General and named Liverpool by the Commissioners of the Land Office.

John Danforth was the first settler in 1794, and commenced the manufacture of salt. He was soon followed by Patrick Riley, Joseph Gordon, James Armstrong and Charles Morgan. John O'Blennis made salt at Green Point in 1794. There were many salt springs which issued all along the bank of the lake above the point, at which works have at different times been erected.

The first school kept at Liverpool was by a man named Conner, in his salt works, and the school was taught while he carried on the business of mak-

Photo. by Knapp & Marble, Syracuse.

The subject of this sketch was born at Onondaga Hill, Onon- daga County, April 23, 1804. He was the only son, in a family of four children, of Stephen Burton and Olive Burton, both natives of Vermont. His father was a man of liberal education, and a graduate of Dartmouth college. Came to Onondaga County, and was among the early and active settlers of Onondaga township. His father died when he was quite young, but his mother survived her husband several years, dying about the year 1833.

Burr spent his early life at home with his mother, and about four years with his uncle, at Darien, N. Y., and at the age of six- teen resolved to strike out for himself. Came to the village of Salina (now first ward of Syracuse), and became an apprentice to the hatter's trade. When his time was completed for learning this business, he went to Utica, N. Y., and followed that business for a few years. Returned to Salina, he built a salt block, and manufactured salt, which business he continued, enlarging from time to time his interests, until his death.

In the salt interest he was very successful, and at one time owned several salt blocks, with interest in many others, and also a salt mill. His interest was so closely identified with that of the man- ufacture of salt in Salina, that, upon the first organization of a salt company, he became its first president, and was one of its officials during the remainder of his life.

He was one of the directors of the First National bank for a few years previous to his decease. He erected the foundry, and carried on successful operations for some twenty years, now owned by G. A. Porter & Co.

In his early life he had neglected the opportunities afforded him for obtaining an education, and desired in after-years to try and

give to others what he himself felt the want of. Hence he was very liberal in his views of education, and did very much to sup- port public school interests.

He was warmly attached to the First Ward Presbyterian church of his city, was trustee of the same for many years, and a member, together with his wife.

Mr. Burton was very considerate in his opinions, self-reliant, first determined upon the right course, and then pursued that path with unswerving fidelity. From the time he first came to Salina until his decease, he stood high in the esteem of his fellow-towns- men, and was intrusted by them with places of trust and responsi bility. Was alderman of his ward, in which capacity he served to the satisfaction of his constituents.

In an unexpected hour, at three o'clock A.M., he met his death in his own house by the hands of an assassin. He died, at the age of sixty-one years, on May 4, 1865.

On Oct. 29, 1829, he married Miss Laura M., daughter of James S. Brown and Fanny Parkhurst, both natives of Vermont. She was next to the eldest in a family of five children, and was born in New Hampshire, Nov. 1, 1813. Her parents were among the early settlers of Salina, she being only some thirteen years of age when they left Hanover, N. H.

To Mr. and Mrs. Burton have been born ten children,-Henry Delos (died young) ; Olive Maria (died at the age of four years and eleven months); Olive Louisa (deceased), wife of Prof. T. H. Hinton, of Syracuse ; Avis Amelia (died in infancy) ; Wilmot Earll, of Syracuse ; Frances Amelia, wife of J. H. Childs, of Syracuse ; Lebbeus D., of Syracuse ; Helen Augusta, wife of B. C. Frost, of Oswego; and Alfred Myres, residing at home,

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HISTORY OF ONONDAGA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

ing salt. His school was then considered the best in the county, and was denominated " the high school." It was patronized by the inhabitants of Salina and Onondaga Hollow.

Liverpool was incorporated as a village in 1830. At the first charter election the following Board of Trustees was elected : Joseph Jaqueth, Harvey Kimball, William Wintworth, Sherman Morehouse, John Paddock, Samuel C. Upson, and Caleb Hub- bard. Joseph Jaqueth was chosen President, and Caleb Hubbard, Clerk.

The following have since officiated as Presidents of the village : Samuel C. Upson, 1831 ; James Johnson, 1832 ; John Paddock 1833 and 1834; Joseph Hasbrook, 1835 ; John Paddock, 1836; J. P. Hicks, 1837 ; John Pinney, 1838 ; E. Ladanis, 1839 ; Jared Bassett, 1840 ; John Mathews, 1841 and 1842; Jared Bassett, 1843 ; Charles S. Ster- ling, 1844: James Johnson, 1845 and 1846 ; John Mathews, 1847 and 1848 ; Jared Bassett, 1849 ; Isaac Sharp, 1850; Edward T. Chany, 1851 ; Henry Clark, 1852 ; S. Jaqueth, 1853 ; P. Barnes, 1854; Stephen Van Alstine, 1855 ; Charles W. Cornue, 1856; A. S. Tracy, 1857 ; C. W. Cornue, 1858; C. S. Sterling, 1859; T. B. Anderson, 1860 ; J. Bassett, 1861 and 1862 ; T. B. Anderson, 1863; Joseph Jaqueth, 1864; C. W. Cornue, 1865; J. T. Crawford, 1866; A. P. Burtch, 1867 ; David A. Brown, 1868 and 1869 ; J. J. Moscrip, 1870 ; O. C. Gleason, 1871 ; Tenant Hinckley, 1872 ; S. Jaqueth, 1873; R. R. Claxton, 1874 ; D. F. Gillis, 1875 and 1876; William Gleason, 1877.

Mrs. Kissiah Lee, the oldest person now living in the town of Salina, was born in Pompey in 1803, and settled at Liverpool in 1804.

CHURCHES.

Ascension Church, Liverpool, was organized in 1840, and the church edifice erected in 1841. The first officiating clergymen were, Rev. George D. Gillespie, Rev. S. G. Appleton and Rev. Samuel Goodale. Services by the Episcopalians were discon- tinued in this church after 1842.

St. Paul's German Lutheran Church was organ- ized in 1852, and in the fall of 1853, bought the Ascension Church property of the Episcopalians. The first pastor was Rev. T. W. Reichenberg, who was succeeded by Rev. P. Satsmidt from 1854 to 1857. Present pastor, Rev. T. Snider.

The church originally consisted of nine members, prominent among whom were Peter Smidt, de- ceased ; John Bahn, deceased ; and Martin Weimar. The present number is 48, with an average attend- ance of So in the Sunday School. St. Paul's is located on the corner of Vine and Third streets.

Salem Church of the Evangelical Association of North America, was organized in 1844; the same year a church edifice was erected costing about $1,000. Services had previously been held in the house of Mr. George Miller. The original members of the church were 24, among whom were George Miller, Charles Werner, Jacob Eberling, John Backer, L. Traester, P. Wilbert, Henry Wilbert, Mr. Petelon and others. The pastors have been Revs. Jacob Riegel, Margyuart, L. Jacobi, D. Fischer, Th. Schneider, William Munz and A. Klein. The members number 65, with 70 in the Sunday School.

The First Methodist Episcopal Church of Liver- pool .- In 1820 or 1821, the first services were held in a district school house. In 1820 the church was organized at Liverpool, consisting of William B. Harris, Calvin Turner, Mrs. Bennett, Mrs. Hinck- ley, Mrs. Bishop, Mrs. Hogan, Mrs. Keith, Seth A. Cary, Peter M. Cameron, Jesse Pease and M. R. Judd.

The first church edifice was built in 1826, and cost about $1,500.

Names of Pastors -- Revs. Wright and McCoon, 2 years; Wright and Barnes, 2 years ; Ailsworth, 2 years ; Seth and John Youngs, 2 years ; Tilton, 3 years ; Sutton and Lyon, 2 years ; Lamb, 2 years ; Coop, I year ; Lyon, I year ; Downing, I year ; L. L. Adkins, 2 years ; Austin, 2 years ; E. W. R. Allen, 2 years ; Fuller, I year ; Giles, I year ; Reuben Reynolds, 2 years ; M. Thrasher, I year ; D. D. Parker, I year ; Joseph H. Lamb, 2 years ; R. Beadhead, 2 years ; P. H. Wiles, 2 years; P. H. Graves, 2 years ; Silas Ball, 2 years ; L. L. Palmer, 2 years ; F. H. Stanton, 3 years ; T. J. Bissell, 2 1-2 years ; D. W. Rooney, 3 years ; J. F. Andrews, present Pastor since October, 1876.

Number of members, 112. Attendance at Sab- bath School, about 130.

Presbyterian Church .- Rev. H. C. Hazen, of Manlius, under date of Dec. 17, 1877, furnishes the following data with regard to this Church : The first services were held in the second story of the building now used as a meat market and grocery by W. F. Lee. School was held during the week in the two rooms on the first floor. The building then stood in about the center of Washington Park. In this building Rev. Phineas Camp preached two years, beginning in the winter of 1828-9. The Presbyterian Church was organized November 9, 1829, and consisted of nine persons, viz : John Dick- son, Martha Dickson, Martha O. Dickson, Nancy Paddock, Nancy Hicks, Eaton E. Griffin, Lucinda Summington, Rebecca Morehouse and Martha

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HISTORY OF ONONDAGA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

Moschelle. Mrs. Nancy Hicks is the only surviv- ing member. The two men were immediately chosen elders. Mr. Griffin was a very pious young man, not yet twenty-one years of age. "Deacon Dickson," as he was familiarly called, was a stern man, very tenacious of his opinions, and not the best judge of human nature, but withal a man of such integrity and piety that he was reelected to the same responsible office five times, and served the Church in that capacity 35 years. In 1830 a pre- cious revival added 21 members to the Church. In 1832 the noted evangelist Merrick vor Myrick,) who made such a stir in Onondaga County, held a protracted meeting at Liverpool, and 16 more were added to the Church.

The first house of worship was built in 1841, at a cost of $3,000. It was a frame house, built by James Johnson. Its dimensions were 44 by 64 feet, with a porch of 10 feet projection in front. The principal financier in the erection of the church, and its most useful and efficient member, about that time and for years afterwards, was Jonathan P. Hicks. Kind hearted, noble and generous, the church owes him a great debt of gratitude.

During the ministry of Rev. C. W. Hawley, the present church edifice was erected. It cost $11,500 and was completed and dedicated March 4, 1863. It is a fine brick edifice.

The present membership is 74. Total member- ship from the beginning, 378. Number of revivals in the history of the church. 11. Number of min- isters who have served the church, 18, viz :

Rev. Phineas Camp, Dec. 31st, 1828 ; Mr. Fair- childs, 1831 ; Ezekiel J. Chapman, 1833 ; Mr. Hyde, 1837: Mr. Worden, a few weeks ; A. C. Tuttle, Sept .. 1841 ; Luther Conklin, Dec., 1844; Elisha B Sherwood, July, 1846 ; S. S. Harmon, April, 1851 : Joseph Myers, June, 25th, 1853: Royal A. Avery, Aug. 12th, 1855 ; Chester W. Hawley, Jan. 6, 1861 ; T. E. Davis, Sept., 1864 ; J. V. Hil- ton, June 1st, 1865 ; R. T. Searle, Oct. ist, 1866 ; F. W. Spencer, Jan., 1869; H. C. Hazen, March 13th, 1870; James S. Root. April, 1877, present pastor.

PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

District No. 19, of the town of Salina, was laid out in 1839, and a wooden school house erected in 1840. First Trustees : Peter Myer, Andrew F. Gowdy, and John S. Forger.

District No. 2, of the town of Salina, now Dis- trict No. 1, laid out in 1846, and present brick school house built the same year, to which an addi- tion was made in 1863.

In 1874. the District was changed to the Union

Free School of Liverpool, according to Chapter 555. of the Laws of 1864, and has six departments, with an attendance of 250 pupils. M. C. Sharp, Principal.

MANUFACTURERS.

The largest industry, next to the salt business, is the manufacture of Willow Clothes-Baskets, which are made by the German families of the village. The annual product is 50,000 dozen, and they are sold in all parts of the United States.

I. G. GLEASON & Co. are manufacturers of Burial Caskets and Coffins. Capacity, 2,000 per annum ; seven hands employed ; established August 1, 1877.

G. H. DIETz, Saw and Stave Mill and Barrel Factory ; established. 1854 : employ 12 hands in mill, 20 in cooper shops ; capacity, 60,000 salt bar- rels per annum.

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History of Onondaga County, New York, Part 57

Author: Clayton, W.W. (W. Woodford) Publication date: 1878 Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y., D. Mason & Co. Number of Pages: 840

Author: Clayton, W.W. (W. Woodford)
Publication date: 1878
Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y., D. Mason & Co.
Number of Pages: 840