USA > New York > Ontario County > History of Ontario Co., New York > Part 61
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THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, at Reed's Corners, is an offshoot, as above noticed, from the Presbyterian society at Gorham. The building used is the old meeting-house of that body. Those of the members who remained after the division found themselves with a house and without a minister. It became im- perative to occupy the old church, to hold it; as it was articled, that if not used for church purposes, it should revert to the original owners. They tried in vain to secure a preacher, and, in a strait, invited a Baptist minister, who was preaching in the neighborhood, to hold his afternoon services in their church. The request was acceded to, and the property thereby retained. Finally, a clergyman of the Dutch Reformed persuasion was invited to preach, and accepted. He presented his views so effectually as to induce the people to accede to them, and they became known as a Dutch Reformed society. The Rev. Pierson was the first settled minister of the new organization, and, following him, Rev. Israel Hammond. In time the old church was removed to Reed's Corners, and another theological change took place. This time the church emerged as Congregational. The Rev. Warren Day was engaged to supply the pulpit in this connection. No settled pastor has been engaged. The policy seems to be to employ its clergymen from year to year-the Rev. N. S. Lowrie, of the present church at Gorham, acting as pastor. When a man becomes a Christian, he does not cease to be human ; and it is an honor to the persons early composing various societies that the questions which originate with increased population and local claims have been so amicably settled.
BAPTIST CHURCHES .- The first Baptist society of Gorham was formed prior to 1812, yet for some time they were without a place of worship, and services were held in the houses of members and in school-houses. A church was erected on lot 29, district No. 5. The members worshiped as one society until 1841. At that time a proposal was made by the Middlesex Baptist church, at Rushville, to unite with them and build a house at Bethel. The majority of the society accepted the proposal, and the new church was completed and dedicated in De- cember, 1842, as the " Bethel Baptist Church Society." The first settled minister was Rev. Abraham Ennis. The first deacons were Henry Douglass, J. W. Van Arsdel, and Abraham Watkins. In the mean time, that part of the society which had remained with the old society concluded to remove to Reed's Corners, and this was done. Their pastor, Rev. John G. Stearns, accompanied them. This society, which was the original Baptist body, constitutes the present Reed's Cor- ners' Baptist church.
THE METHODIST CHURCH AT RUSHVILLE dates its origin from 1821 to 1823, when preaching by Methodists began in this vicinity. There was of course no meeting-house, and in the homes of the brethren was set up the altar of worship. The first baptism connected with this church took place on April 30, 1825. The original members of the society were named as follows: Ebenezer Streeter, wife, and mother, Jesse C. Boardman, Hannah Pratt, John A. Peabody, Samuel Whitman, James Peabody, and George B. Turner. When we see a small party, in this instance but nine in all, banding themselves together for worship, the thought arises, To what extent has its influence been felt in local and general welfare and prosperity ? Through the efforts of Rev. Ira Fairbanks, some time in 1830, the building of a meeting-house was started ; work was pushed rapidly and it was soon completed. It was dedicated on June 25, 1832, by Rev. John Cope- land, then minister of this church. The church building is a large, handsome edifice, built of brick. The society has a membership of two hundred. A re- vival, in 1833, was general, and resulted in adding many to this church.
THE FIRST METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. The early records of this society are now lost ; but from the annual minutes of the Methodist Episcopal church, and the recollection of aged members, we glean the following historical facts. As early as 1796, Arming Owen and Jefferson Hamilton, members of the Philadelphia Conference, visited the sparse settlements of this region, and Gorham received her share of their ministrations. The primal services were held at the log meeting-house two and a half miles east of Gorham, in the town of Seneca. In 1817, a revival under the labors of Thomas Ewing, a local preacher, added to
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the young church ; and so many of these new members resided in the hamlet, and the meetings so abounded in spiritual excellence, that Rev. P. Hollet, a settled pastor from the Methodist itinerancy, proposed the name Bethel (House of God) to the rising village. Meetings were held east of the village, in a log house nearly opposite the present dwelling of J. M. Pulver, Esq. From this time regular preaching was established in Gorham, in one of the two school-houses of the vil- lage, but generally on the west side. In 1828, Abner Chase being presiding elder on the Ontario district, and Dennison Smith preacher of the Benton circuit, to which these classes were attached, they were encouraged to build a house of worship in Gorham.
A society was organized, called "The First Methodist Episcopal Society of the town of Gorham, New York," and their first trustees were John Q. Grosbeck, O. F. Rice, and Seaman Tompkins. They still remained an integral part of the Seneca society. Poverty cramped their efforts, which finally resulted in & full payment of their indebtedness, in 1832, by a bona fide sale of their slips. The house is supposed to have cost a thousand dollars. It stood between several charges, and for ten or twelve years pastors and relation to the church cannot be fixed. Revivals were enjoyed under the labors of Revs. Smith and Zina J. Buck, both attached to the people of this society. These clergymen died here, and were buried in the old cemetery on the west side of the village. Rev. Smith died Angust 22, 1832. In 1842, preaching was transferred from the log meeting- house to Bethel, where it has since remained. The name Bethel was adopted, with Rev. B. Atchison, a local preacher, as supply. Among preachers not named up to this time, were Benjamin Bidlack, Charles Giles, Lawrence Reiley, W. B. Lacey, Benjamin G. Paddock, Gideon Lanning, Allen Steele, and Calvin Coats. The following are the names of families connected with the society : The Stokes, Phillips, Cogwards, Rices, Arnolds, Schuylers, Hanleys, and Runyans. The Hersheys and others were supporters of the church, but not members till years later. Since 1842, the following pastors have served the church : In 1843, Levi B. Castle succeeded Atchison ; in 1844-45, 8. Parker ; 1846-47, Albert Plumley ; 1848, Philo Tower ; 1849, A. G. Laman, M.D .; 1850, J. L. S. Grandin ; 1851-52, J. L. Edson; 1853, Ashbel Parcel; 1854-55, J. H. Blades; 1856, J. K. B. Clayton ; 1857-58, A. G. Laman, H. M. Boardman, Sup .; 1859-60, E. Edson; 1861-62, J. Chapman ; 1863-64, H. Wisner; 1865, W. A. Runner ; 1866-67-68, A. D. Edgar; 1869-71, J. H. Day; 1872-74, T. Leslie Weaver; 1875, N. A. De Pew, present minister. In 1868, the church was remodeled and enlarged at an expense of over two thousand dollars. During the last twenty-five years the society has raised for pastors' support and benevolent objects, exclusive of inci- dental expenses, over seventeen thousand dollars. Three thousand dollars of this has been given to charities. Prior to organization, the few Methodists had united with the Presbyterians in Sabbath-school effort ; but the general conference having, at its session in 1828, formed a Sabbath-school society, the Gorham church organized according to the plan, and elected A. Hill superintendent. He was followed by John Cayward for a brief time, then Mr. Hill continued till 1852, when M. A. Squier was chosen, and is now in his twenty-fourth year of service in this office. In 1863, the school began its existence as continuous all the year round. Periodicals supplant library. "Berean Leaves" are used, and the church and school are abreast of the times.
GEOGRAPHICAL.
In the north part of Gorham the land is comparatively level, and produces a fair yield of winter and spring wheat, potatoes, hay, and apples. The southern section is more hilly. The southwestern portion, known as Vine Valley, is especially adapted to the cultivation of the grape. The hills in this section have & southern exposure, with favorable soil, and many vineyards are already planted upon them. The orchards upon the various farms are of fine character, and the production of fruit tends toward becoming a leading interest. A railroad is in process of construction across the southern portion of the town. When it is completed, the prosperity of the region will be greatly enhanced. The scenery of Gorham, especially in the southern portion, is very attractive. A road along the lake-shore offers one of the most delightful drives in this section of the State. In morals, enterprise, and intelligence, the population compare favorably with other towns. Her patriotism is attested by her record in the war; and a hospi- tality is manifested towards the stranger which speaks well for liberality. It is notable, and shown by history, that the stability of a state, and especially of a re- public, depends upon the character of her yeomanry. The people are quiet and industrious, while energetic and prosperous. The same elements contribute to preserve what the pioneer and soldier labored and fought to subdue and retain. The patience and perseverance which cleared the lands, formed societies, and erected churches, which established schools and conducted town meetings, which bridged streams and constructed roads, is still at work in a less obvious but full
as powerful a direction. The area of the town is 29,916 acres, of which three- fourths are improved. The population of Gorham in 1800, then large of area, was 476. The census of 1875 gives a total of 2428.
SCHOOL STATISTICS.
Gorham is constituted in sixteen districts, with fourteen schools. The number of children between five and twenty-one, in 1875, was 755. Twenty-six teachers were licensed, of whom 8 were males. The schools were attended by 488 chil- dren. There are 13 school-houses, 9 frame, 3 brick, and 1 stone. Value of school- houses and sites, $3880. Valuation of property, 8603,750. The receipts and disbursements are thus shown: On hand October 1, 1874, $4399; amount ap- portioned, $1539.01 ; raised by tax, $1976.65 ; payments teachers' board, $376; other sources, $171.87 ; teachers' wages, $3406.60 ; for school apparatus, $12.65; school-houses and sundries, 8222.25; incidental, $358.56; total, 84107.52; on hand October 1, 1875, $107.36. The educational system is well established and in full operation; with the interest of the people, rests its success.
GORHAM IN THE REBELLION.
One Hundred and Forty-eighth Regiment Infantry, Company F .- John H. Benedict, enlisted as private August 28, 1862; promoted corporal June, 1864; in battles of Drury's Bluff, Cold Harbor; wounded at Seven Pines; discharged with the regiment.
John C. Foy, August 31, 1862; promoted corporal; in battles Drury's Bluff, Port Walthal, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, Fort Harrison, and at surrender of General Lee.
Frank B. Seelye, September, 1862; discharged March 31, 1863, on account of sickness.
George W. Fisher, August 31, 1862; discharged June 22, 1865, with regi- ment.
Levi Wattery, August 31, 1862; in battles of Fair Oaks and Fort Harrison ; taken prisoner; sent to Salisbury; in prison four and a half months; paroled March 8, 1865.
William A. Wilson, August 3, 1862; wounded in battle of Drury's Bluff; discharged June 12, 1865.
Ezra Prouty, August 31, 1862; with regiment to close of war.
Philip Walther, jr., corporal, September 2, 1862.
Joseph C. Foster, August 28, 1862; in battles of Drury's Bluff, Cold Harbor; Fort Petersburg and Fort Harrison.
Martin W. Parsons, August, 1862; in battles Drury's Bluff, Cold Harbor, and several others; wounded at Petersburg; discharged on account of disability April 3, 1865.
Le Roy J. Harkness, sergeant, August 31, 1862 ; promoted sergeant February 12, 1863; in battles of Drury's Bluff, Cold Harbor, and Petersburg ; wounded in eye at Fair Oaks, October 27, 1864; discharged May 28, 1865.
Robert Underhill, August 31, 1862; deserted.
Charles W. Stark ; wounded by shell ; discharged for disability March, 1865.
Albert I. Stark, enlisted August 31, 1862.
Abraham J. Young; promoted corporal; died in Hampton hospital.
Charles G. Vanness, August 31, 1862 ; promoted corporal; discharged May 17, 1865.
Daniel McGinnis, August 30, 1862; discharged May 30, 1865.
Owen Conway, August 30, 1862; wounded ; died August, 1864.
John Conway, August 30, 1862; died 1865.
John F. Pierce, August, 1862.
James G. Ainsley, August 29, 1866; wounded in battle.
Babitt Lansford, August 30, 1862; wounded at Petersburg.
Claudius C. Farr, August, 1862.
William S. Vorce, August 22, 1862; promoted second lieutenant.
One Hundred and Twenty-sixth Infantry, Company E .. Jonathan Creed, August 14, 1862; wounded in battle of Gettysburg.
J. A. Yeckley, August, 1862 ; second lieutenant, wounded.
John Benjamin, August, 1862 ; prisoner at Andersonville; fate unknown.
Martin M. Benjamin, enlisted 1862; wounded; died in Columbia hospital ; buried on Harlem Heights.
Henry E. Parson, August 2, 1862; taken prisoner; paroled, exchanged, died.
Solomon Green, July, 1862 ; died 1863.
Lorenzo Phillipps, August, 1862; wounded at Gettysburg; died; buried at Baltimore, Maryland.
John Phillips, July, 1862 ; killed at Gettysburg.
James B. Datro, July, 1862; taken prisoner at Harper's Ferry ; exchanged ; returned to army.
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John Olf, killed in battle of Wilderness. Maurice O'Connell; taken prisoner. Albert Burk, August, 1862.
James Creed, August, 1862; taken prisoner; exchanged; returned to army ; died.
Edgar C. Miller, Daniel Whipple, Harvey Wilson, E. Palmer, August, 1862. Elim R. Pratt; taken prisoner at Harper's Ferry.
Company D .- Andrew J. Wilson, July, 1862. George Stark ; wounded in battle of Wilderness; died. William Brands, July, 1862; wounded; taken prisoner; died. William B. Brieds, August, 1862.
John Brovie, August 14, 1862; taken prisoner at Harper's Ferry; exchanged; supposed to have been killed at Gettysburg.
Truman B. Comstock, August, 1862; taken prisoner at Harper's Ferry ; re- turned to the army ; killed in battle at Gettysburg.
Frederick Ebert, July, 1862 ; twice wounded ; discharged July 1, 1865. Hosea Lewis, enlisted 1862; died from wounds.
William Lamport, August, 1862; taken prisoner; exchanged; died in Vir- ginia.
Byron Mentor, August, 1862; taken prisoner; exchanged ; returned to army ; discharged 1864.
James Pollan, August, 1862; killed and buried at Harper's Ferry. Wesley D. Robinson, August, 1862.
James S. Stall; taken prisoner at Harper's Ferry ; exchanged ; discharged, 1863, for disability and loss of speech.
William Snyder, sergeant, August, 1862; taken prisoner at Harper's Ferry ; exchanged ; returned ; wounded; discharged 1865.
Hiram Uttel, August, 1862; taken prisoner ; paroled ; exchanged; discharged at expiration of term.
Company B .- Reuben J. Fuller, April, 1864; wounded; discharged July 3, 1865.
A complete register of the following could not be obtained : Walter Clark, John Fountain, Barnard Murphey.
Wallace Rison, enlisted Company F, August 7, 1863; taken prisoner at Harper's Ferry ; discharged June 7, 1864, on account of disability.
Oliver Fiero, Company F, August, 1862; taken prisoner; exchanged; dis- charged 1865.
Edgar C. Miller, Company E; Ass Mott, Company G; William D. Philippe, Company K; Holmes Sturdevant, Company F.
Hiram Wilson, Company K, enlisted August, 1862; taken prisoner at Harper's Ferry ; exchanged; returned to army.
Twenty-eighth Infantry, Company E .- Erastus H. Green, May, 1861; dis- charged May, 1862, on account of disability.
John Youngs, May 13, 1861; discharged at Lockport.
Jno. A. Yeckley, May, 1861 ; discharged at expiration of two years.
Porter C. Stephens, May 31, 1861 ; taken prisoner at battle of Chancellors- ville; discharged June 2, 1863.
Thirty-eighth Regiment Infantry, Company A .- Hugh F. Dunnigan, May 26, 1861 ; in battle of Bull Run; wounded, taken prisoner, sent to Richmond, in Libby prison five months.
One Hundredth Infantry, Company D .- John McDonald.
Fiftieth Engineers, Company D .- Charles H. Page, Henry Young.
Eighty-fifth Infantry, Company D .- Jacob Perkey; wounded at Plymouth, North Carolina, April 20, 1865 ; discharged July 15, 1865.
One Hundred and Eleventh Infantry, Company K .- George B. Wilson; died and buried at Geneva.
John Duly, William Chandler, George Johnson, John H. Smith, John Collins.
One Hundred and Seventy-ninth Infantry, Company K .- Peter Malone, George Williams, Joseph Riley, George Riley, John Sullivan, John Ropp, John Shippey.
One Hundred and Eightieth Infantry, Company K .- James Morgan, Hiram Puts, George Wilbur.
Fifty-first Infantry, Company K .- John Gertel, John Fenton, Allen D. Mott. One Hundred and Eighty-fourth Infantry, Company K .- Francis Boyes. One Hundred and Sixty-first Infantry, Company K .- Richard Coleman.
Fourteenth Infantry, Company E .- William Hopper, enlisted after regiment went into service ; discharged with regiment.
Ninety-eighth Infantry, Company 1 .- Jacob C. Fry, August 22, 1862; died at Point of Rocks Hospital.
Thirty-third Infantry, Company I .- Thomas Conway, April, 1861; wounded at battle of Fredericksburg; died at Washington.
William O. Wilter, August 28, 1862 ; transferred to Forty-ninth Regiment; taken prisoner, sent to Andersonville, died and buried there.
Thirty-third Infantry, Company H .- Thomas Phillips, May 1, 1861, dis- charged June 2, 1863.
Sixty-fourth Infantry, Company E .- Joseph H. Stevens and Austin Wilter, August 31, 1864; discharged, June 1, 1865, at Elmira.
One Hundred and Fifth Infantry, Company C .- Jno. DeGraff, November 14, 1861, promoted second lieutenant, March 20, 1862; first lieutenant, October 15, 1862; taken prisoner, sent to Libby prison, paroled; exchanged at Washington, August, 1863.
CAVALRY.
Eighth Regiment, Company G .- G. W. Mollet; wounded; discharged on account of deafness.
Abram Gannon ; discharged for physical disability ; died.
Harvey A. Metcalf, Elvin R. Pratt, John W. Davis, September, 1861; died in Andersonville prison.
John F. Sloat, September, 1861; died.
Horton I. Travis, October, 1861.
Ebenezer M. Washburn, October 28, 1861 ; discharged October, 1864.
Delafield Dwelle; died 1861.
Company B .- William E. Hart, October, 1861; in all engagements with regiment; slightly wounded ; discharged 1865.
Fifteenth Regiment, Company C .- William D. Benedict, August 3, 1863; at the battle of Harper's Ferry ; also at surrender of General Lee.
Charles H. Fisher, July 27, 1863; in battles New Market, Piedmont, and Lynchburg.
Chester K. Parsons, August, 1863.
John Youngs, Sergeant.
Twenty-fourth Regiment, Company D .- Samuel C. Francisco, January 14, 1864; taken sick at City Point; removed to David's Island; died September 13, 1864.
John Sweeney, August, 1863.
First Regiment, Company K .- Charles Detro, September 1, 1863; in all the battles of the Shenandoah.
Company G .- James Bleckner, August, 1863; discharged August, 1865. Company I .- Porter C. Stevens, September, 1863.
ARTILLERY.
Sixteenth Regiment, Battery I .- John I. Hogan, December 30, 1863; dis- charged August 21, 1865, with regiment.
Aaron Benjamin, January 5, 1864.
Zina Buck, August, 1863.
John Blackman, January, 1864.
Jacob Green, August, 1863.
William Hoppen; died of measles February 6, 1860.
James B. Moore; discharged August 21, 1865.
Adrian V. W. Townsend and James B. Hanna.
Battery H .- James Finn, January 4, 1864; discharged August 24, 1865.
John P. Finn, January 4, 1864; discharged at close of war.
Fourth Regiment, Battery D .- George W. Brownell.
Battery M .- Edwin O. Gates, June, 1863; was in the battle of Cold Harbor; wounded; died July, 1864.
Hiland C. Kirk, lieutenant, May, 1863; discharged September, 1865, at Hart's Island.
Moses G. Waris.
Fifth Regiment .- Owen Lynch.
Fourteenth Heavy Artillery, Battery B .- James Bowerman, January 5, 1864 ; discharged August, 1865.
Sixth Regiment, Battery I .- Patrick Merriman, January 5, 1864; discharged August 24, 1865, at Washington.
Battery H .- Isaac W. Van Antwerp, January 3, 1864; discharged July 14, 1865.
The military record does not show to what regiment or company the following belong :
Joseph Arling, mustered September 4, 1864; D. M. C. Ayres, September, 1864; J. M. Ayres, September, 1864; Lewis Ayres, September, 1864; John Serrigan, September, 1864; Alexander Baker, Chaunoy Bacon, Myron Baboock, Charles H. Ball, Tillson C. Bardent, Martin Bemgan, Henry Casey, Edward Carr, Thomas Coll, Willet S. Colegmore, Jonathan F. Cook, Thomas Cary, Lewis Champlain, Russell Croes, John S. Champlain, James D. Chubbuck, Charles F. Duvill, William A. Date, James W. Cameron, Charles Dean, Peter Frank, Charles J. Finch, James Gordon, Timothy Griswold, Joseph Hill, Squire Hanks,
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James Henderson, Thomas C. Knapp, Lewis Kobb, Michael Logan, Edward Lacost, James McCarthy, William Martin, Bachin P. Mosson, Clayton Madole, John W. Ogden, Michael O'Driscoll, John Patta, David W. Parker, Jackson Ripple, Samuel Runyan, William H. Robinson, John Shiver, Dwight Strong, H. G. Seamans, A. D. Schutt, Barclay Smith, Charles H. Thayer, John A. Van Wert, John Weller, William Gilbertson, Frederick Amerman, mustered March, 1865; Edward Bouse, March, 1865; David Barry, Charles Ball, Peter Brown. Michael Coston, Timothy Dunn, Jacob J. Durman, C. H. Goodyear, John Hum- phrey, C. F. Johnson, Robert Johnson, Robert Lancaster, Samuel Lutch, Joseph Lawyer, Peter Newman, William Roberts, Peter Reynolds, James Sellage, John Seemner, Henry Sonigen, mustered February, 1865; Charles Mills, mustered March, 1865; Henry . Williams, March, 1865; Horace Marshall, Moses Watch, George Walton, Moses Francis, Walter York, mustered April, 1864.
PERSONAL SKETCH.
STEPHEN FERGUSON,
the Scotch spelling of whose name shows his descent, was born in Duanesburg, Schenectady county, New York, January 11, 1798. Moved to Gorham with his father, John Ferguson, in the fall of 1813, who was one of those whose lives and habits (he being for forty years a Methodist class-leader) changed the hitherto rude and rough society which had prevailed under squatter sovereignty, and gave to Gorham the steady, sturdy name and character which it has ever since main- tained ; and whose sons, like Stephen Ferguson,-now aged seventy-eight years, yet active in mind and body,-make the bone and sinew of our land.
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PLATE LV.
JUDGE CHESTER LOOMIS.
MRS. HANNAH H. LOOMIS.
RES. OF MRS. A. D. L. ELLAS, RUSHVILLE, ONTARIO CO., N. Y.
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PLATE LVI
-+MRS. JOSEPH D. GATES.+-
-+ JOSEPH B. GATES.+
RES. OF JOSEPH B. GATES, HOPEWELL, ONTARIO CO. N. Y.
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TOWN OF HOPEWELL.
Im recording " passing incidents" in this town, the writer finds nothing of a startling nature. Her people have been quiet, industrious, and progressive, whose forward movements were steady and firm as
"The eternal step of progress beats To the great anthem, calm and slow, Which God repeats."
They have transformed the wilderness to one of the finest and most productive tracta found within the boundaries of the Phelps and Gorham purchase.
Hopewell originally comprised a portion of the old town of Gorham, which was organised when Ontario was set off from Montgomery, January 27, 1789. March 29, 1822, it was erected from Gorham, and is bounded as follows :- north by Manchester, east by Phelps and Seneca, south by Gorham, and west by Canandaigua.
SETTLEMENT.
The fertility of the soil and the fine water-power afforded by this section attracted the attention of explorers, and as early as 1789 we find that the tide of civilisation had set in, and but a few years elapsed ere the territory embraced within the present town of Hopewell was dotted here and there by the homes of sturdy pioneers, who have left an honored memory and a respected posterity. Many of the pioneers of this town came from the State of Maryland, and promi- nent among them was Richard Jones, father of Hon. Amos Jones. The latter was born in Montgomery county, Maryland, in the year 1793, and emigrated to this place with his father in 1805. January 1, 1816, he settled on the east part of lot 26, where he now resides, at the advanced age of eighty-three, though smart and active, and in full possession of his faculties. He has seven children living,-Andrew J. and Amos, Jr., residing in the town; Senator John H. Jones, residing in Branch county, Michigan; Elizabeth, the wife of John Cost, living in Phelps; Rebecca, widow of Lewis Chapman; Susan, wife of J. J. Whit- ney ; and Eva, wife of Joel A. Hill. Mr. Jones has been one of the most eminent men in the town, and has served in many official capacities. He was an early justice of the peace, and served for a period of thirty years. He was judge of the Court of Common Pless, supervisor of the town twenty years, and represented Ontario County in the Legislature for two terms. His father was a soldier in the Revolutionary struggle, and a commissioned officer in the war of 1812.
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