History of Ontario Co., New York, Part 59

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" Resolved, that we form ourselves into a church, to be denominated the Asso- ciate Reformed Church of the town of Seneca."

At a meeting held on the 15th day of July following, a board of trustees was elected, consisting of Samuel Latta, Samuel McIntyre, William Gay, John Rippey, and James Beattie. The organization of the church was completed in the follow- ing October by the ordination of the following ruling elders, viz. : Samuel Latta, Robert Nelson, John Fulton, and James Beattie. At the first communion, which took place about this time, there were forty-five communicants. Rev. James Mears, of the presbytery of Washington, conducted the services. At the first meeting held, steps were taken to provide for the erection of a church building. After experiencing many difficulties and delays, the building was finally completed. It was a substantial frame structure, with a seating capacity of about three hun- dred. Here, for a quarter of a century, the congregation met for worship, and here some of the most esteemed of the present membership first took the vows of God upon them. Rev. Andrew Wilson, though never installed as pastor, was the main supply for the pulpit from the organization until his death, which oc- curred in 1812. The first regular pastor of the church, Rev. Thomas White, was installed June 12, 1814, and continued the acceptable shepherd of. the flock until his death, which occurred early in 1820. He was succeeded by Rev. Wil- liam Nesbit, who was pastor until 1832. In January, 1835, Rev. John White became pastor, and continued in the field about two years.

In 1838, steps were taken to build a new church. It was completed and dedi- cated early in 1839, at which time John D. Gibson, who had been previously called, was ordained and installed pastor of this church. He resigned his charge in 1843. On the 19th of November, 1844, Rev. Samuel Topping was installed, and continued to labor with efficiency and success until removed by death in 1855. In June, 1856, Rev. George Patton became pastor. In 1859, the church changed its ecclesiastical connection. by going to the Old-School Presbyterian body, and joining the presbytery of Rochester. In 1866, and again in 1868, the church was visited with gracious outpourings of the Holy Spirit, and more than one hun- dred and fifty were added to the communion of the church. The church edifice was enlarged in 1862, and so marked was the growth of the congregation that it was necessary for the society to increase their accommodations by a second enlargement in 1868. It now seats about one thousand persons, and on fair Sab- bath mornings the people gather in from all directions, and in large numbers, to engage in the worship of God. Rev. Mr. Patton resigned bis pastorate to take charge of the Third Presbyterian church, of Rochester, in November, 1871. The church was without a minister until March, 1873, when the present pastor, Rev. A. B. Temple, began his labors. In the winter of 1874 there was a revival, by which over fifty were added to the church. Not less than twelve hundred persons have joined the society since its organization. The present congregation includes some one hundred and fifty families; and the roll of church membership numbers about three hundred and seventy-eight. Including the summer schools, from three hundred and fifty to four hundred scholars are under Sunday-school instruction.

The present board of ruling elders are as follows: Alexander Turnbull, Wil- liam E. Wilson, Hugh Monagle, Thomas G. Rippey, Charles Rice, John C. Wil- son, William P. Rupert .*

ST. THERESA'S CATHOLIC CHURCH .- This church was erected in 1876, by the Catholics of Stanley, under the charge of Rev. James A. Connolly, the first pastor of this parish. The parish itself was organized in 1875, out of portions of the parishes of Geneva, Canandaigua, and Penn Yan, to which places the Catholics were accustomed to go for religious services. The church is beautifully located on the Geneva road, east of the railroad depot, and adds considerably to the appearance of the village; moreover, it is the first church erected in the village of Stanley.

The Catholics are not wealthy, yet most of them are in comfortable circum- stances, and take pleasure in their handsome edifice, which was erected by the ar- chitect, John King, Jr., of Farmer, Seneca county, in this State. The corner- stone of the church was laid by Right Rev. Bishop McQuaid, of this diocese, on August 7, 1876, in the presence of the largest number of persous ever assembled at Stanley. The cost of the church, etc., was about four thousand five hundred dollars. +

. See Plate VIII., for view of this church and parsonage. t A view of the church is given on Plate IX.

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PERSONAL SKETCHES.

LUTHER WHITNEY.

This venerable pioneer was born in Conway, Massachusetts, in August, 1782. When but nine years of age he came with his father to this town, and has resided on the farm he now occupies for a period of more than threescore years and ten. But few persons have been spared by kind Providence to witness the changes wrought by more than fourscore years. Mr. Whitney has seen the gigantic trees of the forest fall by the woodman's axe, and has seen the wilderness transformed from the home of the savage to one of the finest agricultural regions in the State. The Whitneys are closely identified with the pioneer history of Seneca, and prob- ably none in the town have done so much towards its improvements as the honorod family of which the subject of this sketch is a worthy representative. Mr. Whitney was well qualified to brave the hardships incident to the settlement of a new country, and by economy and strict attention to business succeeded in gaining a competency of this world's goods.

He has six children living, viz. : George, in Michigan; Dolly, wife of Daniel Croshier, in Benton; Hannah, wife of Eber Bradley, in Michigan ; and the fol- lowing in this town : Cornelia, wife of Charles Parshall; Tacy, and Harriet P., wife of Cyrus Bray, Eaq., who resides on the old homestead.

Mr. Whitney is now ninety-four years of age, and in all human probability his earthly existence is drawing to a close; and when death lays his pallid hand upon him may he pass away calmly and peacefully,

"Like one who wraps the drapery of his couch about him, And lies down to pleasant dreams."

CHEENEY WHITNEY.

It is a pleasure to place upon the page of history passing incidents in the life of as worthy a pioneer as he whose name appears at the head of this sketch. Mr. Whitney was born in the town of Seneca, April 21, 1795. His grandfather, Colonel Jonathan Whitney, served in the French and Indian war, and was pre- sent at the siege of Ticonderoga. When the colonists called for brave men to strike at the head of British oppression, in 1776, Colonel Whitney stepped to the front and performed gallant service during that arduous struggle. He was an officer, his commission bearing date May 3, 1776. Cheeney Whitney united in marriage with Olive Caldwell in 1817. Mrs. Whitney was born in March, 1801. Five years after marriage they located on the farm where they now reside. Kind Providence has blessed their union with nine children, viz. :

Daniel H., born October 19, 1819; married Susannah Degraff, May 15, 1850, and was subsequently married to Martha Vangelder, June 6, 1855. Anna A., born March 25, 1821 ; died October 3, 1822.

Hachaliah, born August 30, 1822; married Matilda Vrooman, May 15, 1843, and subsequently married Hannah Stevens, January 16, 1869.

Sidney, born August 20, 1824; married Amelia Vangelder, May 16, 1850. Clarissa, born December 16, 1826; married John Degraff, October 28, 1847; died April 1, 1876.

Sophronia B., born October 26, 1828; married Willard M. Gregory, Septem- ber 1, 1852.

Byron, born September 4, 1830; married May Leeson, August 22, 1854. Elvira Emogene, born October 24, 1833; died May 9, 1853.

Cheeney P., born June 10, 1836; married Mary Chapman, November 26, 1861. Mr. Whitney, though now at the advanced age of eighty-two years, is smart and active, and evinces much interest in the pioneer history of his town and county, where he has lived to see both transformed from a wilderness into a land that "blossoms like the rese,"-one of the finest sections within the boundaries of the " Empire State." Mr. Whitney and his estimable companion are both on the down-hill of life, but are passing their remaining years pleasantly, surrounded by all the comforts of a happy rural home.

DAVID BARRON.

Prominent among the worthy citizens of Ontario County is he whose name appears at the head of this sketch. David Barron was born in Northumberland county, England, August 15, 1800. In the following year he came with his parents to America and located in this town. His advantages were fair, consid- ering the early times, and his father being a practical farmer, David was reared to habits of industry and frugality, cardinal principles in every successful person's life.

He worked for his parents until twenty-five years of age. March 22, 1827, he married Miss Sarah Shadbolt, daughter of Darius and Martha Shadbolt. She was born in Stillwater, Saratoga county, New York, December 7, 1801. They had five children, all of whom are dead, vis. :

Martha, born June 3, 1828 ; died May 14, 1846.

George, born August 1, 1830; died July 18, 1835.

John, born October 11, 1832; died July 11, 1835.

Mary, born January 1, 1837; died September 17, 1852.

David W., born June 28, 1843; died March 2, 1844.

In 1832, Mr. Barron located upon his present farm of two hundred and six- teen acres, which is under a good state of cultivation. He began life poor, but by hard work, economy, and the assistance of his faithful companion, has accumu- lated a handsome property, and is considered one of the wealthiest farmers in the town of Seneca. He has always been a supporter of schools and churches, and the poor have found in him a friend and benefactor. Mrs. Barron became a member of the Presbyterian church in 1846, and her husband in 1868; both are exemplary and consistent Christians. April 19, 1875, Mrs. B. received a fall, breaking her hip, and has since been a cripple.

Mr. and Mrs. Barron have now passed nearly fifty years together, and, although bereft of their five children, still enjoy each other's society, and are passing the down-hill of life in peace and comfort.

H. E. YOUNGS

was born in Albany county, New York, November 22, 1809. In the winter of 1820 he moved with his father's family to Junius, Seneca county, New York: In about the year 1826 his father purchased a grist- and saw-mill near Lyons, and moved thither in 1831. Mr. Youngs entered the employ of a miller at Macedon, named Sunderland Patterson, with whom he remained eight months, working for fifteen dollars per month. He then went to Alloway, Wayne county. Stayed in Alloway six years, and subsequently operated mills for his father; also for General W. H. Adams & Co., in Rose, Wayne county, and for J. Pinkey, of Unionville, in this county. He purchased a farm of ninety-six acres in Wayne county, and in 1854 disposed of his land there, and purchased the mill property at Seneca Castle, Ontario County, to which place he removed in 1855.

November 1, 1835, he married Margaret Lisk, of Junius, Seneca county, who was born in Greene county, New York, November 28, 1815. Eleven children were the result of that union, nine of whom are still living, six boys and three girls. Three of his sons reside in Detroit, and three in Seneca Castle. One daughter resides in Rose, and two are living with their father. His estimable companion died in 1875, deeply mourned by a large circle of relatives and friends.

Mr. Youngs has' passed an active business life, and is justly entitled to the respect and esteem in which he is held by his fellow-citizens.

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PLATE L

CHEENEY WHITNEY.

MRS.OLIVE WHITNEY.

RES. OF JOHN DE-GRAFF , AND OLD HOME OF CHEENEY WHITNEY, SENECA TP, ONTARIO CO.N.Y.

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PLATE LI.

LUTHER WHITNEY.

HANNAH L. WHITNEY.

RES. OF CYRUS BRAY, FORMER RES. OF LUTHER WHITNEY, TOWN OF SENECA.

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HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY, NEW YORK.

ISAAC VANNOSTRAND, JE.,

was born near Trenton, New Jersey, October 31, 1815. When seven months old he came with his parents to Seneca, Ontario County, New York. They located on Flint creek on an unimproved farm, the buildings consisting of one log hut.

In 1837 the subject of this sketch was united in marriage with Julia A. Thatcher, and soon after located on a farm in Seneca, where they resided until 1846, when they removed to a farm purchased near by. In 1863, Mr. Vannostrand ex- changed farms with his father and removed to the old homestead, where he re- mained until his death, which occurred in the year 1868. He was a successful business man, a kind and obliging neighbor, and his loes was keenly felt by friends, relations, and fellow-citizens. He was a useful man in the community, and a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and did much towards the support of the gospel.

During the late rebellion he was chosen captain of a company, but ill health rendered it impossible for him to accept the commission. His parents were both members of the Methodist church.

JULIA A. VANNOSTRAND, widow of Isaac, was born in Hopewell, Ontario County, New York, February 28, 1818. The mother of Mrs. Vannostrand was six years of age when her parents arrived at Hopewell, having emigrated from near Frederick, Maryland. Her father came from Conway, Massachusetts, in 1812, and was drafted into the service in the war of 1812, but in consequence of sick- ness was unable to go to the front; but, considering it a duty for every citizen to lend his aid to the country in time of need, promptly sent a substitute. The father of Mrs. Vannostrand purchased a farm on the corner of the towns of Hopewell, Phelps, and Seneca. His family consisted of seven daughters and two sons, all of whom were members of the Methodist Episcopal church.

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TOWN OF GORHAM.

THE town of Gorham lies south and east of Canandaigua, and faces on Canan- daigua lake. It is part of the original Phelps and Gorham purchase, and was formed January 27, 1789, as Easton. On the 17th of April, 1806, the name was changed to Lincoln, and, on April 6, 1807, it was called by its present name, Gorham. Several changes of territorial ares have taken place in the process of settlement. In 1822 the town of Hopewell was taken off, and in 1824 a part of Canandaigua was annexed. The surface is rolling. The soil in the east is a gravelly loam, and in the west is of clay, and is fertile and productive. Its eastern border is traversed by Flint creek, while various brooks have an origin on its lands. The first few settlers began the work of transformation from dense forest to cleared and productive farms, as early as 1790. The primary location of pioneers within the present town was on the lots of

District No. 8. James Wood cleared and occupied a tract on lot 54 as early as 1789, paying for it, so says tradition, in produce from the land. Mr. Wood has a granddaughter, Mrs. Osburn, still living on the lot opposite the old farm, and another granddaughter, Hannah Elwell, living in the Gage district. Silas Reed, . man whose name is most honorably associated with the early history of Gorham, and a person active in town and public affairs, has many descendants living in this district. His son, Samuel Reed, occupied lot 41 about 1813, while Mason Reed, his grandson, is still living at Reed's Corners. Among the early men whose record is well preserved was John McPherson, who was originally from Ireland, and of the Protestant stock. On arriving in this country, he settled temporarily in Pennsyl- vania, and came, in 1798, to Gorham and took to himself a home on lot 53. McPherson had learned the trade of weaver in his youth, and resumed its practice when settled on his wild land, and in the little cabin busied at his loom earned the appellation of the Irish weaver. His son, Samuel McPherson, is at present the' postmaster at Reed's Corners. A man named Guernsey came to the locality about a year later than McPherson, and purchased land next to him on the south. Few, apart from those who have had actual experience in this direction, can realize the cheerful influence of a neighbor to break the solitude of the woods. Some of the most pleasurable occasions of the times whereof we write are linked with the arrival of friends, relatives, and strangers, who are to be neighbors for years. One evening, a settler had concluded the labors of the day, and, with his wife, sat on a bench before the cabin-door, when to their ears was borne the sound of axes and voices. The latter seemed familiar, and recalled a like time far to the east, and the name of an old neighbor was mentioned as a likely person to be in this place. Next morning a visit through the woods found the very neighbor, unconscious of any other settler being near him, busily engaged in felling and trimming trees for his cabin. To both, the meeting was as when in the late war, men from New York, from Ontario, in the One Hundred and Twenty-sixth, Thirty-third, or One Hun- dred and Forty-eighth met casually upon the battle-fields of Virginia and ex- changed a greeting. To borrow a kettle, a pan, or chair, was as much in the neighborly visit as in the use to be made of the article, and gave occasion for a friendly chat. Jeremiah Swart seems to have come in prior to 1800, and to have become well known in various capacities. The names of Swart and Guernsey are frequently associated in the old town records as of the town officers, and promi- nent in local events. The school interest of those early times was not neglected, and the primitive building in this district was erected on the same lot as the present Congregational church, somewhat south of that structure. A tavern was kept at Reed's Corners early in the present century by Mr. Sherwood, who seems to have been succeeded by Jeremiah Swart. On account of early settlement and a location more favorable to communication with adjoining towns, from the cir- cumstance of being on the main road from Canandaigua to Geneva, the neighbor- hood about Reed's Corners was formerly the scene of considerable activity. Here were held the first town meetings, and from this, as a focus, went out the de- velopment of the town, as the east side grew from Bethel, later known as Gorham Post-Office.

District No. 6 lies south of Reed's Corners, and it was in this neighborhood that Silas Reed had first settled and built the only frame house then to be seen in this part of the town. This old pioneer died in 1834, at the age of seventy-six

years. In February, 1809, Harvey H. Stone came in from Greene county, New York, and bought upon lot 52. A daughter, Sarah Woodward, is still living at an advanced age on the old place. Jacob Young, whose son, Abraham, is a resident of the town, settled upon lot 42 in 1812. Mr. Wilson took up his residence about the same time on the farm still the home of his descendant, Mr. Wilson. Royal Stearns came from Upton, Massachusetts, about 1806, and bought on lot 44, the farm now owned by F. Frankish. The pioneer on lot 59 was Thomas Tuffs, who moved into this district in 1811. Mrs. George Harmon, his descend- ant, now lives on the old farm. John Tuffs came west soon after his son, and lived with him until his death. The first school-house erected in this dis- trict was opened for teaching during 1811, and was occupied as the pioneer teacher by Mrs. Laura Clark, who was succeeded by Oliver Babcock. Tradition has also preserved the name of Joseph Ryan, a famous pedagogue of the olden time. As indicated by the name, Mr. Ryan was an Irishman, and possessed, in a remarkable degree, the wit and versatility characteristic of his race. Whatever may have been his accomplishments in other directions, he was skilled in the use of a quill-pen, and in its preparation for the work required of it. There are many handsome and rapidly-executed specimens of penmanship to-day, and, with steel and gold pens in endless variety, the execution should be faultless; but in the strong points of penmanship, the compact, legible documents of the early day speak volumes in praise of the old school-master, his penknife, and his quills. The teacher to-day " mends" no pen, sets no copy, and in many instances conducts no writing-class in his school. It is not a return to the quill that is suggested, but the education of the teacher, who gladly shirks a branch wherein a pupil may chance to far excel.

District No. 16 lies southward of the preceding, and here, upon lot 60, Nathan Pratt, from Halifax, came during 1803, and endeavored to clear himself a home from his forest tract. Elisha, brother of Nathan, had come from the same place in 1801, and occupied land on the same lot. He married Elizabeth Saunders, originally from Rhode Island, and their descendants yet occupy the farm which still remains in the Pratt name. Charles Russell bought and began improvement in 1805 upon lot 61, which has not changed the name of owner since. A son, Allen Russel, lives upon the old farm at this time. Benjamin Washburn, from Herkimer county, took up land embraced in lots 61 and 62, and on the same property his son, G. F. Washburn, now resides. Daniel Treat bought land of Washburn at an early date, and in turn was bought out by Leonard Morse. Eben Harwood was an early owner of land on lot 61. The names of Archibald Arm- strong and G. Merrill are also mentioned as of early settlers somewhere in this locality. This district was slow to fill up. Families dropped in only at long in- tervals, and for years no roads were laid out in the district. The pioneers made their way to Canandaigua by marked trees, and along paths which they had volun- tarily turned out to underbrush. But there was little regret for having entered upon this home in the forest, this contest with Nature on the part of the woodmen. Many of them had become familiar with peril and accustomed to the wild life. They loved to see the deer bounding across their clearings, and, when the wolf was heard at night, there came in mind the thoughts of the bounty which would accrue from a successful shot. The unbroken character of the woods in this town, at the comparatively late day of settlement, is attested by the fact that here we find the most abundant traditions of game and of hunting: Elisha Pratt, who was at once justice of the peace and a Nimrod of the woods, bears an equal high reputation in either capacity. Deer were attainable in such numbers that Pratt was accustomed to send many saddles wrapped in the skins to Canandaigua, to exchange for goods .. The instinct of the sportsman seemed to be hereditary in the Pratt family, for a descendant of Elisha, now living on the old place, is the most expert fisher on the lake. Although this district was behind in population, it did not lag a whit in energy and intelligence. In 1803, a blacksmith's shop was built by Charles Hedgar on what is now known as Hedgar's knoll, on the Pratt farm. As was not unfrequently the case, the old log dwelling-house of Elisha Platt was put to use as a place to conduct a school, and Polly Doolittle acted as the early teacher.

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HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY, NEW YORK,

Passing south, we come to a joint district bordering on the Yates county line, and containing the village of Rushville. Henry Green, who came to Naples in 1796 from Windsor, Massachusetts, removed to Gorham in 1799, and was the father of a large family, all of whom have passed away, except Erastus Green, who is living on the homestead at Rushville. Chester Loomis settled in Gorham, near the Potter line, in 1815. The place has remained in the possession of Judge Loomis' family to the present. As illustrative of the times, it is told of Judge Loomis that, when a child on the journey with his father, Nathan Loomis, from Con- necticut, they passed through the town of Geneva during the cold season. Stopping at a house, the boy saw what he took to be a curious black box standing near the middle of the room. Never having seen anything of the kind in his section of the country, the child naturally attempted an examination of its char- acter; but, putting his finger on the "black box," he speedily discovered at le ist one of its qualities, and learned a useful and durable lesson. About 1805, Samuel Torrey built a blacksmith's shop just north of West river, near the Pres- byterian church. In those early days, the shop of the blacksmith was the parent of manufacturing industries, and the man who built and conducted such an insti- tution not only had to work his own iron, but to make his own coal. The pro- cess of making charcoal was simple and effective. A quantity of hardwood sticks were cut and piled, and then covered over with forest leaves ; upon this a quantity of dirt was thrown, and a pit formed at the base; through the dirt holes were punched to permit the egress of smoke and gas, and a fire was communicated from a point on the base. A slow and smouldering combustion ensues. The sticks gradually change their character, preserving their form, and the change being effected, charcoal is produced. Thus supplied, the stock of iron was indeed meagre. The horse to be shod required that the old shoe be brought along. The welding of broken tools was accomplished in time, and the shop was not less im- portant and necessary from its humble, unpretentious character. Timothy Moore moved into Gorham from Naples about 1802, and was recognized as a man of great local influence,-active in all town affairs, and holding the office of justice of the peace. Captain Harwood was a man of character and position, and when the tidings of war against Great Britain found their way to this region, he re- sponded to the call, and served through that eventful season. He had settled, about 1799, upon lot 63, now owned by J. Lindruff. The first school of this district was kept in the Presbyterian meeting-house; and however it may have been as regards physical culture, it is certain that books were not numerous, nor progress far advanced. The names of Elisha Pratt and Samuel Powers are re- membered as those of early teachers.

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History of Ontario Co., New York, Part 59

Author: Publication date: Publisher: Number of Pages: 391

Author:
Publication date:
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 391