USA > New York > Onondaga County > History of Onondaga County, New York > Part 65
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PIONEER LUFT.
The primitive settlers of Skaneateles often found the means of subsistence scanty and precarious. Provisions were obtained chiefly from the towns of Aurelius and Scipio, which had been settled some- what earlier, and were then in Onondaga county. The following from Clark's Onondaga, was related by Warren Hecox, one of the oldest settlers :
" In 1799, there was an uncommon scarcity of grain, and he had to send to Scipio, twenty miles, and pay two dollars and fifty cents for one bushel of wheat. He could only raise money enough to pur- chase a single bushel at a time. Ile hired a horse at fifty cents a day, and sent a boy eighteen miles to Montville, in Sempronius, to get the bushel ground, which took two days; the mills at Auburn and Camillus having stopped running on account of the great drought of that season. Many of his neigh- bors were in a worse predicament, for they could get neither money nor wheat."
After the carly settlers had prospered, so as to raise a surplus, the markets for produce were at Albany and Utica. It took a horse team in those times fourteen days, and often longer, to make a journey to Albany and back ; an ox team about the same length of time to go to Utica and return, taking a load of grain or potash, and bringing back a load of goods.
The lake and forests, however, were well supplied with fish and game. Skaneateles Lake has been noted for its abundance of excellent trout, some of which have been taken weighing fifteen pounds. Perch have also been caught in considerable num- bers. Formerly the region around the lake and the river abounded with game. Deer were often seen swimming across the lake and canoes and skiffs of all sorts were put in requisition to capture them ; all hands joined in the chase, and the pleasurable reminscences of the sport are often recounted by
the early settlers and their immediate descendants.
Hon. Freeborn G. Jewett was a prominent citizen of Skaneateles-Judge of the Court of Appeals and of the old Supreme Court of Judicature. See Civil List of the County. ) Judge Jewett was born August 4, 1791, and died January 27, 1858.
VILLAGE OF SKANEATELES.
The first frame house where the village of Skan- cateles now stands was erected by Lovell Gibbs in 1795. Dr. Hall erected the second during the same year. In 1797, James Porter erected a large tavern, the first in the place. The timber in this house is noted as having been in the first raft ever afloat on Skaneateles Lake. The first store was kept by Winston Day, who, in 1797, erected a com- modeous building for the purpose, and was set up in trade by Judge Sanger. The Judge had invested money in land and mill sites at the outlet of Skaneateles Lake, and as one of the Commissioners to lay out the Seneca Turnpike, secured its passage across the outlet where the village is now situated. It followed an old Indian trail, crossing at the village, along which the Oneidas and Onondagas used to pass in visiting their Cayuga and Seneca friends. At the time of the first settlements this was the only road in the town. The old Genesee Road was first cut out and traveled a mile and a quarter north of the village.
Judge Jedediah Sanger erected the first grist and saw mills at the outlet of the lake in 1796. The first bridge was built by the Seneca Road Company in 1800. It was twenty-four rods long by twenty- four feet wide, and stood upon fourteen posts. When it was rebuilt the second time, in 1842, its length was reduced to twenty-four feet. The iron bridge spanning the outlet at present, was erected by the State in 1871, by a special act of the Legis- lature. It is a fine structure, 100 feet in width.
The first frame school house in town was erected at Skaneateles Village in 1798. Nicholas Otis was the first teacher. A school had been kept in a private room in the village before the house was built, by Ebenezer Castle.
A postoffice was first established at Skaneateles in 1804. William J. Vredenburg, Postmaster. Itis successor was John TenEyck ; and Charles J. Bur- nett was Postmaster from 1817 to 1843.
A steamboat was first put upon Skaneateles Lake in 1831. It failed to meet expectations and after a while was converted into a sail-boat. The experi- ment was again tried, (and has proved more suc- cessful, when the " Skaneateles," a neat and com- modious steamboat, commanded by Captain Hecox,
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was put on July 4, 1848. The propeller, “Glen Haven," Captain E. B. Coe, now plies upon the lake between Skaneateles and Glen Haven.
SCENERY.
The Village of Skaneateles is one of the most lovely and picturesque in Central New York. From this village the eye measures about half the distance of the lake to the south, a mile and a half in width. On the shores are no bogs or marshes to disfigure the prospect. The rich velvet turf of the gradually sloping banks of the lake seem to be resting on the water's brink. Villas and lawns give a charm enhanced by distance ; and the woodlands, clothed in richest green, rock and rustle their foliage in the wind. In autumn the golden grain of the cultivated fields waves in the breeze ; the flocks and herds graze in the luxuriant pastures, and the light bark glides gracefully over the sweet bosom of the water. The rural scenery is not more wholesome and inviting than the village itself, which the hand of man has adorned with every element of neatness and taste. Cottages, mansions, gardens, fences, business places, churches, school houses, manufactories, are all kept from dilapidation and preserved in a fresh and healthy state of repair. It would be difficult to find a more desirable village to live in than Skaneateles.
An Academy was established at Skaneateles in 1840. It seems never to have been incorporated, and was subsequently merged in a consolidated school.
The school established by the Quakeress, Lydia Mott, on the western shore of the lake, popularly known as " The Hive," was a very celebrated board- ing school for young ladies in its day.
The village of Skaneateles was incorporated by special act of the Legislature passed April 19, 1833. The first election for officers was held at the " Indian Queen Hotel," kept by Isaac W. Perry, on the second Tuesday in May, 1833, when the following Board of Trustees was elected : Freeborn G. Jewett, President ; Daniel Tallcot, Phares Gould, William Gibbs and Lewis Sandford. The following named have since served as Presidents of the Board of Village Trustees :
Daniel Kellogg, 1834 ; Freeborn G. Jewett, 1835 ; Phares Gould, 1836; George F. Leitch, 1837-'38 ; James Hall, 1839; G. F. Leitch, 1840; Nelson Hawley, 1841; James Hall, 1842 ; John C. Beach, 1843 ; Spencer Hannum, 1844; Nelson Hawley, 1845-'46 ; Alexander Horton, 1847; William H. Willets, 1848; Wm. H. Jewett, 1849; John Davey, Jr., 1850; Charles Pardee, 1851-'52,-'53 ; William
Fuller, 1854 : John Legg, 1855 ; John Barrow, 1856 ; Freeborn G. Jewett, 1857 ; Thomas Snook, 1858; Spencer Hannum, 1859; C. W. Allis, 1860 ; Harrison B. Dodge, 1861-'62 ; Charles Pardee, 1863; Joel Thayer, 1864-'65 ; Wm. R. Gorton, 1866; Newell Turner, 1867 ; Jacob C. DeWitt, 1868 ; C. Pardee, 1869; H. B. Dodge, 1870 ; James A. Root, 1871 ; C. Pardee, 1872 : Thomas Kelley, 1873-'74-'75 ; William Marvin, 1876 ; Thomas Kelley, 1877 ; Thomas Kelley, Wm. H. Lawton, John Packwood, James Jewell, John E. Waller, Simon L. Irish, Russell B. Wheeler, Trustees, 1878. Clerk, James P. Wheadon. Treasurer, John Davey.
Skaneateles has three Banks, viz : The Bank of Skaneateles, organized under the banking law of the State in 1869 ; capital $100,000 ; Joel Thayer, President ; H. T. Webb, Cashier ; the Skaneateles Savings Bank, incorporated April 16, 1866, with the following officers, viz : Richard Tallcot, Anson Lapham, Charles Pardee, Joel Thayer, Henry L. Roosevelt, Caleb W. Allis, John Barrow, Josias Garlock, Henry T. Webb, Henry I. Hubbard, Thos. Isom, Jr., Leonard H. Earll, Ezekiel B. Hoyt, Geo. H. Earll, Joab L. Clift. Its present officers are : J. L. Clift, President : John M. Nye, first Vice- President ; John H. Smith, second Vice-President ; Charles Pardee, George T. Campbell, George W. Earll, Willis Platt, J. C. DeWitt, L. H. Earll, I. S. Amerman, John H. Gregory, A. R. Pardee, W. B. Lawton. J. Garlock, Secretary and Treasurer ; and the Private Banking House of C. Pardee & Co.
The village has two Hotels-the Packwood House and the Lake View. The Packwood is kept by T. A. & E. A. Andrews. Built by Mr. John Pack- wood in 1872, at a cost, including building and furniture, of $20,000. Both are good hotels and well kept.
JOHN PACKWOOD, Carriage Manufacturer. Busi- ness established in 1855. The building occupied at present was built in 1865. The especial feature of the shops is fine carriages and sleighs. The works are located on Genesee street, and employ twenty-five hands.
UNION FREE SCHOOL.
The Skaneateles Union Free School, with Aca- demic Department, was organized in 1866. The building, occupying the old Academy site, was erected in 1855, and enlarged by an addition on the north, in 1871. The present value of the property is $ 12,000. The school has four departments, six teachers, and an attendance of about two hundred and fifty pupils. The Library contains about 1,000 volumes.
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Principals : M. H. Slee, 1866 '69; William C. Bowen, 1869-74; F. H. Hodgson, 1874-'75 : A. M Wright, present Principal, since 1875.
The Academy, since merged in the above school, was established in 1840.
FARMERS' CLUB.
The Farmers' Club of Skaneateles was organized in 1855. for the purpose of furthering the interests of agriculture, horticulture, &c., with forty-five members.
In 1836, the prominent agriculturalists organized a society for the purpose of holding annual fairs for the disposal of stock, &c, and also for monthly mar- kets. The last Town Fair under their auspices was held in 1840, from which time the organization declined, and in 1855 was merged in the present farmers' club. The first officers ( 1855) were Wm. M. Beauchamp, Secretary, and Peter Whittlesey, Treasurer. Managers of the first Annual Fair- Chester Moses, President ; Lewis W. Cleveland, Peter Whittlesey, Wm. P. Giles, S. Porter Rhoades and William J. Townsend, Directors.
Present officers (1878): J. Iloratio Earll, Presi- dent ; Frank E. Austin, first Vice-President ; E. H. Adams, second Vice-President : Martin C. De- Witt, Treasurer ; Wills Clift, Secretary.
MASONIC.
Charles HI Platt, Chapter No. 247, A. F. & A. M .- First meeting under dispensation, Decem- ber 10, 1869. Lodge formed with nine original members. Officers-Henry J. Hubbard, 11. P .; George W. Barnes, K .: John H. Gregory, S .; E. W. Harvey, Secretary. Present membership, fifty- two. Officers, 1878-G. W. Earll, H. P .; D. S. Dillingham, K .; J. Shallish, S .; W. A. Dwinwell. Secretary.
Skaneateles Lodge No. 522, F. & A. M .- Pres- ent charter obtained June 12, 1862. Officers of that date : John H. Gregory, W. M .: William F. Gregory, S. W .; George 11. Williamson, J. W. Officers, 1878-George B. Harwood, W. M .; Wm. F. Gregory, S. W .; M M. Livingston, J W. Numbers at present about ninety.
CHURCHI.S.
ST. JAMES CHURCH, SKANEATELES .- The first church families who settled in Skaneateles and the immediate vicinity, were Gen. Robert Earll, in 1796, Jonathan Booth, in 1801. Wm. J. Vredenburg, in 1803. Charles J. Burnett, in 1803. During these latter years, Rev. Davenport Phelps, a noble missionary of the church visited Auburn and officia ted there. It is also believed he visited Skaneateles.
The first remembered services were held in the house now occupied by Mrs. Burnett, in 1803, and at the " Red House." residence of Gen. Robert Earll, during the same and the following years. Afterwards also in a small wooden building situated where this church now stands. One half of this building was used for the first postoffice, and the other half was used and fitted for church purposes. Mr. Charles J. Burnett, W. J. Vredenburg, John S. Furman and a Mr. Letherland, here read the services. St. Peter's Church in Auburn, was organized in 18OS, and the Rev. Davenport l'helps became the rector. The church building there was consecrated in 1812, on the 22d day of August, by the saintly Bishop Hobart. Mr. Vredenburg was one of the wardens of that church, and Jonathan Booth a vestryman. The church people here very generally attended church service in Auburn. Rev. Davenport Phelps, while rector of St. Peter's, frequently came here and officiated. His first service was held in the upper hall of the Vredenburg mansion, since known as the Kellogg house, seats being arranged for the people who very generally attended the ser- vices. Mr. and Mrs. Burnett received their first communion in this house, from the hands of the Rev. Davenport l'helps, in 1809. He also baptized their first child. Mr. Vredenburg died in 1813.
Services were held more or less regularly by lay readers, or an occasional missionary visitor - among the latter the Rev. W. A. Clarke, who followed Mr. Phelps as rector of St. l'eter's Church, Auburn- until the year 1816, when the first written record of the life of this parish appears. This is the act of incorporation of St. James' Parish, Skaneateles, attested by Mr. John TenEyck, one of the Judges of the Court of Common P'leas, bearing date Jan. 4, 1816. At this same meeting of the incorpora- tors and others, the Rev. Wm. A. Clarke presided, and Jonathan Booth and Charles J. Burnett were elected wardens, and Edward G. Ludlow, John W. Livingston, Zalmon Booth, Stephen Horton, John Pierson, John How, Samuel Francis and William Gibbs were chosen vestrymen. Rev. William A. Clarke was ordained in 1812. Hle resigned St. Peter's Church in 1814.
In 1816, an attempt was made to build a church, a conditional subscription being raised for that pur- pose. But as only $1,500 of the $2,oco required, was raised, the enterprise fell through and the organization was abandoned, although lay reading and occasional visits from clergymen were continued with more or less regularity.
On the 19th day of April, 1824, the parish was reorganized under the same name, and the organiza-
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tion was attested by Levi Mason, of the Court of Common Pleas, and R. L. Hess, Clerk of the same Court. At the same time the following gentlemen were elected officers of the society : Wardens, Jonathan Booth and C. J. Burnett ; Vestrymen, William Gibbs, John Daniels, Stephen Horton, John Pierson, Charles Pardee, J. W. Livingston, Samuel Francis, Elijah P. Rust. The meeting for the election of these persons was presided over by Rev. Augustus L. Converse, of whose after history we can learn nothing.
Another blank follows until the 27th day of March, 1826, when a meeting of the congregation was held, at which the Rev. Amos Pardee presided. The same vestry was elected with the exception of John Daniels, who was replaced by Mr. John S. Furman. The following year, 1827, the Rev. Amos Pardee was still officiating, and the name of James M. Allen appears among the Vestrymen.
Although there is no mention made in the pro- ceedings of either of the last mentioned meetings, of the project of building a church, yet we find a paper bearing date August 3d, 1827, which is a contract between the Wardens and Vestry of St. James Church, and Enos P. Root, in which Mr. Root agrees to build the church and make it ready for occupancy. Of the same date there is also a a subscription paper, on which is subscribed the sum of $2,595. Mr. Burnett and Mr. Gibbs were this year the Wardens, and Mr. Butler S. Wolcott's name appears among the Vestrymen.
In the report of the Rev. Amos Pardee to the Convention of the Diocese, held in Trinity Church, New York City, October 17, 1827, appears the following :
" In Skaneateles the past year our members have increased, and our prospects are very much improved. A church was commenced in the last summer, and is now nearly or quite inclosed."
On the 25th day of January of the following year, (1828,) the Rev. Algernon S. Hollister was called to officiate as Rector for one year from the following Easter, and Timothy Baker and Augustus Kellogg were elected on the Vestry ; and the fol- lowing from Bishop Hobart's address to the con- vention of 1828, held in Trinity Church, New York, October 16th and 17th, shows at what date the church was consecrated :
" On Tuesday, the 23d of September I conse- crated the church at Skaneateles, where a small congregation has for several years been kept to- gether, and at last by extraordinary exertions have erected a neat edifice for worship."
On the 26th of May, 1834, the old parsonage and grounds were purchased of Mr. Lucas and an addi-
tional strip of land from Alanson Edwards. Under the same date the thanks of the Vestry are ten- dered to the "Circle of Industry " for the donation of $100 towards the purchase of a parsonage.
In August, 1845, the necessity for the enlarge- ment of the church was first discussed by the Ves- try, indicating very clearly the growth of the parish. The old parsonage was sold in March, 1846, and with the proceeds, $ 100 from Bishop DeLancy, $300 from Trinity Corporation, New York, and the pro- ceeds of a subscription, the building was enlarged and improved in 1847.
In May, 1853, a lot and house adjoining the church were purchased of Mr. Vowles, and in the following month the house was improved and ar- ranged for a parochial school.
In February, 1854, the Ladies' Society saved the School House from sale under foreclosure of mort- gage by paying through the Treasurer, Miss Har- riet T. Gibbs, the sum of $150, for which the Ves- try returned a sincere vote of thanks.
The corner stone of the present St. James Church, Skaneateles, was laid by the Bishop on the 30th of May, 1873, and was consecrated January 6th, 1874.
Clergymen-Rev. Augustus Converse, 1824; Rev. Amos Pardee, 1825-'27 ; Rev. Algernon S. Hollister, 1828-'31 ; Rev. Joseph T. Clarke, 1832- 44, (died on the Island of Jamaica, July, 1845) ; Rev. Charles Seymour, March 3, 1845 to June 16, 1851 ; Rev. A. C. Patterson, July 1851 to Octo- ber, 1858; Rev. Mr. Page, 1858 to 1860 ; Rev. E. Moyses, October, 1860 to November, 1866; Rev. R. M. Duff, May, 1867 to September 1, 1872 ; Rev. Thomas Smith, September 1, 1872 to July 17, 1874.
Rev. John A. Staunton, the present Rector, be- gan his ministry in the parish, October 1, 1874.
The following have been among the prominent members, Wardens and Vestrymen of St. James Parish :
Messrs. Dyer Brainard, J. G. Porter, Dr. E. H. Porter, Thomas Yates, L. Bartlett, W. M. Beau- champ, J. Snook, Jr., N. J. Roosevelt, Ransom Crosby, Justin Redfield, D. T. Mosely, R. I. Baker, E. N. Leslie, W. H. Jewett, D. W. Hall, F. W. Stotwell, H. Q. Knight, John Humphreys, E. B. Coe, C. W. Abeel, H. J. Hubbard, and others, Vestrymen. N. J. Roosevelt, Samuel Francis, W. M. Beauchamp, E. B. Marshall, and others, Wardens. Present Wardens-William Marion, E. Reuel Smith.
Statistics-Families, 150; communicants, 191 ; Sunday School scholars, 125 ; contributions for all
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purposes for the year ending June 1, 1877. $3.679 - 99; value of church property, $30,000 ; rectory, $4.500.
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF SKANEATELES - The first settlements in the village of Skan- cateles were made in March, 1796. Five years from its settlement it contained about one hundred buildings of different kinds, when, on the 20th of July, 1801, the first church in the village-bearing the name of " The First Congregational Church of Marcellus "-was organized by the Rev. Aaron Bascom. The Articles of Faith and Covenant were subscribed to by Joshua Cook, Solomon Edwards, Simeon Hosmer, Asa Harwood, Daniel Cook, and Aaron Cook They were incorpo- rated as the First Church of Christ in Marcel- lus, and the same day on which the church was organized, the following persons were re- ceived : James Porter, Mary Cook, Elizabeth Edwards, Lucretia Hosmer, Electa Edwards, Anna Clark, Hannah Annice, Martha Seymour, and Re- becca Cook. The same day Aaron Cook was elected Clerk of the Church.
The first church edifice was erected in 1808 and was dedicated March 1, 1809.
The church having called Mr. Swift, invited the Presbytery of Cayuga to ordain and install him, which was accordingly done on the 14th day of September, 1811. He resigned October 27, 1812.
Mr. Benjamin Rice was ordained and installed by the Presbytery of Cayuga, July 7th, 1813. He resigned his charge in August, 1817.
In January, 1818, it was unanimously resolved to adopt the Presbyterian form of government, and the church was received under the care of the Pres- bytery of Cayuga. The society had extended a call to the Rev. B. B. Stocton to become their pastor. The call was accepted, and he was in- stalled March 4th, 1818, and resigned his charge in April, 1822
Rev. Alexander M. Cowan, from Virginia, was installed December 4th, 1822, and resigned in 1828.
Rev. Samuel W. Brace began his labors with his people in November, 1828, and was installed Febru- ary 17th, 1830, He resigned in November, 1843. having completed fifteen years of labor.
The society erected a new brick house of worship in the year 1830. The manse was purchased in the year 1832. Rev. Samuel W. Bush was installed in March, 1844, and resigned his charge in March, 1851. Rev. Selden Haines was installed on the 4th of December, 1851, and resigned in September, 1855. Rev. William B. Dada was ordained and
installed July 1, 1856, and resigned July Ist. 1858. Rev. A. Mandell, was installed February 2nd, 1850, and resigned January 16, 1861. On the 20th of April, 1862, the present pastor, Rev. M. N. Preston, began laboring with this people. He was ordained and installed on October 2d, 1862.
By the new boundaries of presbyteries established by act of General Assembly in 18Cg, this church was separated from Cayuga Presbytery and became a part of the Presbytery of Syracuse.
In January, 1852, the church, on the recommen- dation of the session, adopted the plan of electing Elders for the term of three years-to be divided into three classes, so that the term of one class shall expire on the first Monday of January in each year ; when an election shall be held to fill the vacancy. The following persons constituted the several classes in the session- July, 1873 :
Luther Clark and James A. Root to January, 1874 ; J. A. Edwards, S. L. Benedict and Emerson Adams to January, 1875 ; H. D. Fulton and Newell Turner to January, 1876 ; N. Turner, Clerk of the Session and Treasurer. Trustees of the Society are : Dr. George Campbell, J. Augustus Edwards, James A. Root, Newell Turner, Sereno Field, Emerson Adams. Dr. George T. Campbell Clerk of the Board of Trustees.
Deacons .- Eli Clark, died 1834; Joshua Cook, dismissed 1807 ; Samuel Bellany, dismissed 1832 ; James Porter, dismissed 1826; Ebenezer Warner, died 1849: Chester Moses, died 1862; Philip Crosbey, died 1865 ; Foster Clark, Henry T. Hooker, William Clark, Sereno Field.
The present membership of this church is 220 ; attendance at Sunday School, 160. Three mem- bers became missionaries in foreign countries.
BAPTIST CHURCH .- The Baptist Church of Skaneateles was a branch of the church of the same denomination in Elbridge, and began about 1820. The church edifice at first occupied was built by the Congregationalists on the hill east of the village in 1807, and was subsequently bought by the Baptist Society, moved down and refitted. The present building was erected in 1842, and cost $5,000. The ministers officiating have been Revs. Amasa Smith, Nathan Denison, Charles Elliot, John G. Zeeple, S. S. Relyca, William Roney, Henry Bowen, E B. Palmer, George K. Allen and C. H James. Present membership, 153 ; average attendance in Sunday School, 100.
FRIEND'S CHURCHES. - The Society of Friends of Skaneateles was organized from 1810 to 1814. Joseph Frost, Russell Frost, Silas Gaylord, William Willets and Abner Lawton were among the early
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members. Meetings were held in the meeting house now occupied by that branch of the Friends known as " Hicksites," about two and a half miles southwest of the village, near the Octagon School House.
In 1828, a division of the society into the two branches of Orthodox and Hicksites occurred, the latter being the followers of Elias Hicks, a distin- guished liberal preacher among the Friends. Among the most prominent members of the Orthodox branch were Joseph Talcott and his two sons, Richard and Daniel. Of this branch Sarah Talcott was the first minister. Meetings were held in the old meeting house which was built on the farm of Richard Talcott, just within the present corporate limits, and which was torn down in 1873, during which year the present edifice was erected. The present membership is about forty, and value of church property $3,000. Present minister, Chauncey B. Thorne.
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