History of Ontario Co., New York, Part 60

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District No. 12 is a section of the town known as the " gore," on account of the bend in the shore of the lake. The oldest inhabitant, not only of the district but of the town, now living, is Christian Fisher, a resident upon lot 33. Mr. Fisher removed to Gorham from Geneva about 1805, and made a choice of this farm as his location for a permanent home, and thereon has dwelt until, at the age of ninety-one, he may look back upon the viscissitudes of three-quarters of . century passed in that one cherished spot. Still with him is his wife, who, at the age of eighty, is bright and smart-full of the energy of former days and surrounded with luxuries then unattainable. Abraham Garrison is also of the pioneers in this district, and dates his settlement about 1806, on lot 23, upon the farm now owned by heirs. John Ferguson came in 1813 from near Albany, and settled upon that part of lot 32 where his son Stephen, now a vigorous, hearty man, had long resided. The Franciscos are remembered as settlers of about 1807, and the Briggs family are identified with the early history of this district. They lived upon a farm occupied by G. H. Lake, on lot 18. Old Uncle Van Branken, as he is termed, was the early Vulcan of the neighborhood, and erected his black- smith-shop upon the site of the present building. The Martins have long been known as settlers and farmers in the district. In about 1810, a man named Aleck Sheep moved into this neighborhood, and exerted considerable influence. His stay was transient. The primitive school-building in this district, composed of unhewn logs, was located a little south of the old blacksmith's shop, oh, what is now called the Rappalee farm. Abner Duvalle and a Mr. Bascom were among the first teachers. In the minds of those who, as children, sought instruction in this old, well-remembered spot, lies many a vivid recollection. The fire-place was huge in size compared with the area of the room, and when a stove took prece- dence it became a topic of interest. Its durability is beyond question, as it was only thrown aside in 1874. Whether of an early or a later period, the associa- tions of each old log school-house are of the most interesting character. Here acquaintance was made to continue for life; here influences, salutary or other- wise, were received; and within and about the old house the task, the punish- ment of those unfortunate in falling into disgrace, the games of childhood, and the peculiarities of the teacher, were all noticed and treasured up. The history of the going to school of a winter morning, and visiting the traps set for game on the way, the arbitrary rule and condign penalty-the nooning, the various

classes, the very site occupied by the apertures termed windows, and the boys or the girls who sat next upon the seat, every event, trivial to the stranger, im- portant. to the actors-is a pleasing recollection, always cherished through life, and borne away with its departure. Were it needful, the influence of the in- struction and surroundings of the log school-house could easily be shown to have been, in most cases, the most pleasing and impressive and the most salutary of those received in early life.

District No. 13 has been known as the Gage district. Among its first settlers was Otis Lincoln, who came from Otsego county in 1806, and located on lot 2. Lincoln had served as a soldier in the Revolution, and when one of his sons was drafted during the war of 1812, the old man served as his substitute, an instance this of rare and remarkable character .. Lot 5 was originally settled by Southwick Cole, in 1805, and he, with Mr. Lincoln, was the pioneer inhabitant of the district. The farm has passed out of the name, but the Lincoln property is now owned by a son of the pioneer. Amass Gage was the first of the numerous Gage family, whose name has been given to the neighborhood. The farm is now in the owner- ship of his grandson, Marion Gage. At an early date a family named Henike settled on lot 1, now owned by G. H. Green. Joshua Washburn, in 1827, took the farm now occupied by him on lot 4. This was part of the original Cole land, having been bought of him by Widow Snook and sold to Washburn. For a num- ber of years after settlement here, the pioneers had little more than the old Indien trails for their roads. The foot or horseman found his path unimpeded, and the ox-sled wound its way to the neighbors, or struck out for the Geneva and Canan- daigua road. The first highway laid out was the present lake shore road. The lands of this locality being supplied with sufficient water-course, afforded oppor- tunity for the establishment of some slight manufactories. A grist-mill was put up about 1815 by a miller named Henry Elliott, and was located on the old Cole farm. About 1808 a tannery was built in a ravine near the present school-house. The owner soon left, and the vacated building was used as a place of instruction in rudimentary branches of learning. The primal teacher in this structure was a Miss Bostwick. A single season was all that the old tannery served as a school; it was then abandoned, and another vacated house selected for the same purpose. This was finally burned, and the present school-house was then erected.

District No. 11 lies north from the Gage district, upon the lake shore. James Wood was a resident of Gorham as early as 1796 or 1797. His son James built a framed house upon lot 57 about the year 1806. Aleck Sampson had a farm at an early day upon the same lot. His successor was James Turner. Another oo- cupant of this farm was John Parker. A pioneer upon lot 58 was a man named Koomer, who inhabited a log house for a time, and then gave way to Mr. Saokett, who was in turn succeeded by Isaac Shaw. Lot 53, where Addison Stearns, jus- tice of the peace, lives, was formerly the property of Jane Mead, daughter of James Wilson, one of Gorham's first settlers. Mr. Stearns is a son of Jonathan Stearns, who, in 1803, settled on lot 54, now in district No. 6. The Davis family are descendants of a man who, about 1810, bought a tract of some seven hundred acres on the lake-shore for speculative purposes. Davis had planned to allow the use of land for a limited period, in consideration of its improvement. When the land was in condition for crops, a certain rental was taken in farm products. Sometimes this amount reached five to seven bushels of wheat per acre. A Mr. Shepard was the.agent of Davis in the transaction of business connected with his landed estate. Among those who early settled upon the Davis tract were John and Christian Fisher, C. Carson, and John Gulick. To some slight degree this district was distinguished by its pioneer efforts in the line of manufacture. One of the many distilleries which grew up like mushrooms, all over the county, and thrived upon the bounteous products of the soil, was located east of the Davis tract, upon Gravel Run.

The districts so far enumerated, including Joint District No. 9, whose history is connected with that of Hopewell, constitute the eastern half of the town of which Reed's Corners and Rushville were the points of development. The re- maining districts, constituting the eastern half of the town, naturally take their growth from Gorham, which will be next considered.

District No. 3, which contains, in its east part, the village of Gorham, is trav- ersed by the waters of Flint creek, which furnish considerable water-power, and gave an advantage very soon perceived and improved by Levi Benton, a well- known millwright of this section. He put up a grist-mill upon the creek, and this mill was the first one of any description erected within the present limits of the town. As early as 1808 a saw-mill was built in this vicinity, and run by a Mr. Craft. It took the name of Craft's mill, and was for some time in operation. Since that time great progress in manufacture has been made at this point. A large and well-equipped grist-mill, operated by what is known as the Gorham Mill Company, is engaged in an extensive and flourishing business. The village of Gorham, formerly called Bethel, is the chief trading and manufacturing point of the town. Besides the mill, there is a large saw- and turning-mill, owned by

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HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY, NEW YORK.

Stokely & Wilson, & barrel and stave factory, a straw and feed mill, besides minor manufacturing interests. Among those who have been, and in some instances still are connected with the material growth of the district, the following are named : William Pettit came into Gorham from Saratoga county in 1816, and was known and employed as one of the early school-teachers. Isaac Phillips moved during the year from the same county, and settled on lot 4; the farm, contrary to the usual condition of lands lying adjacent to villages, has remained in the family from settlement till date. The present oldest resident of this section is Ebenezer Per- kins, a former resident of Ulster county. Mr. Perkins, now in his eighty-fourth year, came to this town and here took up his residence in 1806.

District No. 5 lies west of Gorham, and has a meagre record. David Picket came from Oneida county in 1820, and settled upon lot 28, where he has re- mained until the present. Francis Harris occupied lot 36 at an early date, and a son at this time lives upon the farm. The first frame house in this district was built for Eliza Hewman, a pioneer upon the lands of the locality. The farm of A. Newman, on lot 27, was formerly the site of an old tavern kept by a Mr. Sherman as a half-way house between Reed's Corners and Bethel. Lot 20 was the former home of Jonathan Arnold. To the southward of his dwelling stood the first school-house. It was a combination of log and boards, and was some- what superior to the pioneer buildings. Where now V. Hogeboom lives dwelt his father, James Hogeboom, who was one of the pioneer school-masters and a reputed teacher in a school attended by Martin Van Buren, a President of the United States. It had been customary for school inspectors, upon occasion of formal visita, to edify and stimulate the youth assembled with words of a highly eulo- gistic character. " Who knows," said one yet remembered, " but that in this school sits a boy not remarkable among his fellows, and all unconscious of his proud future, who is destined to fill the highest seat within the gift of the American people?" The possibility exists in the various schools; its realization was a reflected honor to Mr. Hogeboom.

District No. 14 was settled by a colony of Dutch from Hoosick, on the Hudson. Industrious and frugal, they cleared considerable land, made themselves comfort- able, and enjoyed the advantages of a previous and continued association. In the lapse of time some were removed by death; others removed elsewhere, and few can recall their names. Darius Miner, who has a son Samuel living on the homestead, came from Seneca in 1812, and settled on lot 26. The son is one of the oldest inhabitants of Gorham, and is now in his eighty-first year. Ebenezer Lewis came from the east prior to 1800, and settled on lot 38, whereon he continued through life. His granddaughter, Mrs. Latham, now occupies the place. Levi Sortell took up land on lot 21 in 1810, where his daughter, Mrs. Robinson, now resides. Frederick Spaulding was a farmer upon lot 22 at a very early date, upon which tract, probably about 1812, William Howe, from Scipio, also settled. A farm on lot 23 was taken up by Nathan Smith, who still lives thereon. Mr. Smith is one of the few inhabitants of Gorham now living who has approached the centennial of existence and reached the advanced age of eighty-eight years. Owing to the thin population of the district, which even at this time contains few people in proportion to its area, no school-house was constructed in this vicinity until after 1820, the children being sent to school in contiguous districts. When a house was determined upon, a site was chosen upon the corner opposite the present De Graff place. The first among the many in the lengthening list of school-masters was Darius Miner. The need of a blacksmith-shop was supplied by the enterprise of William De Witt, a man who has left behind a reputation for skill and excellence as a mechanic.

District No. 15 borders on the county line of Yates. Ludin, the first of the Blodget family in Gorham, and now largely represented therein, came from Oneida county in 1800 and settled upon lot 47, where A. Blodget now lives. Ephraim Blodget came to the neighborhood some six months after Ludin. He is now an inhabitant of Canandaigua, and, while he has exceeded fourscore, his appearance is that of a man scarcely beyond the age of fifty. During his residence in Gorham different town offices were placed in his keeping. He was town clerk in 1804, and afterwards served as assessor. Parley Gates, son of Daniel, who was one of the early pioneers, and who came in with Phelps, was a former resi- dent upon lot 46, and kept a tavern at the corners where Mrs. G. Baldwin now lives. "Gates' tavern" was a celebrity in its day, and although taverns were by no means unfrequent, they were differently furnished and kept, and a clean bed, well-cooked provision, and a cheerful, friendly landlord were rare qualities to be met at the same place. Gates' tavern was an unpretending log structure, but nevertheless seems to have dispensed a great deal of comfort and hospitality. In 1804 the old log house was removed, and a frame house erected in its place. Some time previous to 1805, Zebadiah Morse and Daniel White settled on lot 46. John Catlin, from Oneida county, moved, in 1806, upon lot 47, and there abode some time. About 1800, a blacksmith's shop was erected at the corners near the tavern by Curtis Chatfield. About two years after putting up this shop Mr.

Chatfield went insane, and his brother Oliver came up from Oneida county and took possession of the business. In 1807, the pioneer school-house of the neigh- borhood was erected at the corners. Like the generality of those " first schools," the sessions were held in a building substantially, if not elegantly, constructed. It stood but three years, and then gave place to a framed house, which was super- seded in 1826 by a brick structure. Chester Loomis, afterwards Judge Loomis, was among those who taught the school of the district. Lemuel Morse, later a justice of the peace and a member of Assembly, also gained the first round of advancement by conduct of the school. The Blodget family had a represent- ative in the corps of school-masters in the person of Joseph Blodget, brother of Ephraim.

. District No. 2 was occupied in 1800 by Richard Westbrook, from Penn- sylvania. His earliest residence was upon lot 33. James Lewis and William Bassett came in about the same time to this neighborhood. Lemuel Moore, who had previously been living near Bushville, removed to this district about 1808. Here we again meet the Blodgets, of Oneida; Solomon Blodget came in from that county and bought lot 30 as a land speculation. A farm was taken on this tract by his son Augustus, and the remainder was speedily sold. Among the purchasers were Lewis George, Samuel Reed, son of Silas, and Horatio Gates, son of Daniel. William Blodget, son of Ludin, moved in during 1805 and located on lot 31, where he still lives, at the ripe age of eighty-two. Lydia Mapes became his wife at an early day, and still travels the life journey but one year behind her husband in age. The log house put up by Lewis George was afterwards used as the first place of instruction. Lucy Catlin was employed to conduct the school. Subsequently a school-house was built on the farm of Augustus Blodget. In 1806, the first road in this district, and one of the first in town, was surveyed and laid out at the petition of Ludin Blodget.

Thus, briefly, are recounted the names of some who were early residents of the town of Gorham. When we are told "the country filled up slowly," " that game was plenty, and that for many years the settlers had to make their way by marked trees to Canandaigua," the mind must fill up the gaps, of whose nature these isolated facts only supply the hints. Again must be seen the wilderness whose natural gloom and solitude are heightened rather than diminished by the little cleared spots of the pioneer. One must picture the storms of winter, the lonely character of the clearings, and calculate the energy necessary to make . home from the rough material furnished by the forest. Consider the difficulty of clearing the land, estimate the dangers and misfortunes to pioneers of bad climate, poverty, and sickness. Out from the old home the pioneer advanced, and by the creek he made his selection. Day by day he labored, and when the frost warned of coming winter, all unheeding the journey, the eastern home was reached. Hard was the lot of the pioneers viewed from our stand-point, but habit and general custom render all things easier. The power of human adaptability seems to fit men for life in the forest, and readily the occupants of houses, and those who have never slept otherwise than upon a good bed, betake themselves to the blanket and the earth. Human power united has often accomplished objects of great moment unconsciously.

The early settlers of Gorham, led by motives of self-interest, did much for a later generation, and it is a lesson of the age, how closely the shadow of forgetfulness has closed upon the men and women, the lives and deeds, of the pioneers in Gorham.

Supplemental to the history of individual settlement, the following extracts from the early records of the town have special interest and value. From them we learn that at an annual meeting of the town of Easton, held at the house of Frederick Follett, on the 4th day of April, 1797, and opened by Moses Atwater, Esq., the following officers were chosen : James Austin, clerk ; Samuel Day, Frederick Follet, Silas Reed, and George Brundage, assessors ; John Warren, col- lector; William Engel, Joseph Brundage, overseers of the poor; Elijah Hurd, Robert Whitterie, and William Wicks, commissioners of highways; John Warren, constable; Elijah Ellis, Joseph Hill, James Wood, and Benjamin Canfield, "path- masters." " Voted that path-masters be fence viewers." This is the only recorded vote of the meeting. At the next annual meeting in 1798, still held at the house of F. Follet, some indications of development are traceable in the increase of town officers and offices, and the character of the vote : "Southwick Cole, Fred- erick Follet, and Daniel Gates are appointed a committee to inspect the pound;" Joseph Birdsley, F. Follet, and Samuel Day are school commissioners. Voted twenty-seven dollars for the use of schools. At the town meeting of 1801 the " color line" was seen to be introduced in the vote " that this town grant five dollars bounty on each wolf's head catched and killed in the district of Easton by any white citizen of the United States." At the annual meeting held in March, 1802, it was voted " that we raise one hundred and fifty dollars for the contingent ex- penses of the town." In the year 1804 the town had so far gained on the wolves that it was " voted that the bounty on wolves' heads be discontinued." Money

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PLATE LII.

CIDER MILL.

RES . OF T. F. WILSON.

MANUFACTURING VIEW OF STOKOE & WILSON, GORHAM, ONTARIO CO., N. Y.

RES. OF W. E. STOKOE.

PLATE

RES. OF WY ROBSON, GORHAM,

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LIII

Pifter L. RosSON.

ONTARIO COUNTY, NEW YORK.

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PLATE LIV

MRS. STEPHEN FERGUSON

RES. OF STEPHEN FERGUSON, RUSHVILLE RO. GORHAM TP., ONTARIO CO., N. Y.

STEPHEN FERGUSON.

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HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY, NEW YORK.

'due the treasurer for the support of schools is shown by the order, "This may certify there will be due for the ensuing year to the town of Easton, fifty-four dollars, for the support of the schools in said town, by order of the board of supervisors, May 31, 1797.

GORHAM VILLAGE,

formerly known as Bethel, is situated near the eastern limits of the town, upon Flint creek, which, from its fine water privileges, affords considerable manufac- turing facilities. About 1856, the name of the village was changed to its present cognomen.

Lot No. 5, upon which the village now stands, was taken up by Thomas Hal- stead, in the year 1800. About that date he erected the first tavern of the town, a rude log structure, on the site now occupied as the Baptist parsonage lot.

The first effort made to utilize the water-power was by Levi Benton, a mill- wright, who erected, at a very early day, the first grist-mill within the present limits of the village. It was in operation until destroyed by fire in 1868. Soon after 1808, the first saw-mill was built by a Mr. Craft, and called the " Craft Mill."

The first store was kept by Joseph Palmer, who commenced business as early as 1808, and was followed in 1816 by Perry G. Hollett. The latter was suc- ceeded by George D. and Samuel Stewart, who erected the first business block, in 1822. Joseph Palmer, named above, was also the pioneer preacher. Arm- strong Tompkins was one of the first, if not the first, to use hammer and forge,- dating from the year 1814. Doctor Coffin was the first physician, followed by Doctor Dean in 1819. The first frame school-house, erected in 1815, is still standing, and used as a cooper-shop. The same year land was purchased for a cemetery, which was subsequently organized. The first church (Methodist) was built in 1828; the Presbyterian and Baptist churches erected in 1842-43. The first brick building was a block of stores commenced in 1868 and finished in 1870, by Cook & Thompson.

The business interests of to-day are represented by the following : general merchant, William Pulver; druggists, G. B. Cook (present postmaster), Phillips & Montgomery ; hardware, E. C. Payne & Co .; boots and shoes, F. D. Dicker- son ; hotel, J. E. McLoud; harness-shop, two carriage-manufactories, millinery establishments, meat-market, etc. A large grist-mill, the property of the "Gorham Mill Co."; s stave and barrel factory, Stokoe & Koehler ; saw- and turning- mill, Stokoe & Wilson, which are quite extensive. Considerable progress has been made in manufacturing.

The present school-building was erected in 1874, at a cost of two thousand four hundred dollars; the two departments accommodate eighty pupils.

In 1868, a fire, which consumed nineteen buildings, destroyed the business part of the place, the effects of which were felt for years, but the village has again become prosperous. Population about three hundred.

CHURCH HISTORY.

The present town of Gorham contains six churches, divided among the various denominations as follows : one Presbyterian, one Orthodox Congregational, two Baptist, and two Methodist.

THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH was organized February 26, 1828, by Reverends Henry Axtell, Henry P. Strong, and Ansel D. Eddy. It was composed of twenty- four members, taken for the purpose from the church of Hopewell,-eight were males. The following are their names : Jacob Hovey, Peter C. Fiero, Abraham C. Fiero, Orin Crittenden, Levi Sawtelle, James Robinson, and John Brezee. Of the women were Jane Robeson, Alada Bridgman, Mary W. Hovey, Hannah Fiero and her sisters Elizabeth and Mary, Canadice Crittenden, Mahitabil Soule, Sarah Newman, Sarah Sawtelle, Silva Fitch, Hannah Groesbeck, Mary Snyder, Sabra Crittenden, and Abigial Wise. The church was taken under the care of the presbytery of Geneva shortly after its formation. In 1832 it numbered one hundred and two members; in 1836, one hundred and twenty-eight; and in 1846, sixty-eight. The first elders were Jacob Hovey, Orin Crittenden, and Peter C. Fiero. They were set apart to their office by Rev. Joseph Merrill on March 8, 1828., Orin Crittenden was the first clerk of the session. The first deacons were Levi Hatfield and Mason Sawtelle. From the period of its organ- ization till 1830, temporary supplies were furnished by different individuals. Rev. Chester Hinman supplied for one year, under the direction of the American Home Missionary Society. Rev. Flavel Gaylord was pastor from 1830 until the close of 1839. Rev. Hosea Kittredge supplied from July, 1841, to the same date of the following year. He was followed by Rev. Alva Lilly, who officiated for two years, and was succeeded by Rev. Charles Merwin, who was installed pastor on April 16, 1845, and dismissed from his charge May 6, 1846. Rev. Robert Finley was stated supply one year, and Rev. William Rowlatt was pastor

for a brief time. The Mission Society gave considerable aid to support ministers. Under the ministry of Rev. Gaylord, a revival was enjoyed in 1831, and some forty persons were united to the church. The original church edifice stood about a mile and a half from Reed's Corners. In 1843 a new meeting-house was erected at Gorham, then Bethel, and a separation took place between those desiring to worship at the former place rather than at Gorham. The question at issue was simply geographical, and when the division took place, the body politic of the church maintaining the Presbyterian faith worshiped at Gorham, while the others erected a church at Reed's Corners. The old society has had a prosperous and peaceful growth, and at present numbers one hundred and three communicants. Its present pastor, Rev. N. S. Lowrie, also officiates as minister of the Congrega- tional church at Rushville,-a good evidence of the friendly feelings between the societies.

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History of Ontario Co., New York, Part 60

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

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